H712 - Pilot Project/Used Needle Disposal (SL 2015-284)

Overview: S.L. 2015-284 requires the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), in consultation and collaboration with the NC Harm Reduction Coalition, to establish and implement a used needle and hypodermic syringe disposal pilot program by December 1, 2015. Initially the pilot will operate in two counties, but the SBI may select up to four counties if the pilot is successful. The SBI is required to report to the chairs of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committees on Health and Human Services and the chairs of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety regarding the status of the pilot.

The act also amends the law pertaining to possession of drug paraphernalia to provide that a person will not be charged for residual amounts of a controlled substance contained in a needle or sharp object if prior to searching a person, a person's premises, or a person's vehicle, the person has advised the officer of the needle or sharp object.

The section of the act pertaining to the pilot program became effective October 22, 2015. The section of the act pertaining to charges for residual amounts of a controlled substance became effective December 1, 2015.