Needle and syringe exchange programs.

Existing law authorizes the State Department of Public Health to authorize certain entities to apply to the department to provide hypodermic needle and syringe exchange services in any location where the department determines that the conditions exist for the rapid spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) , viral hepatitis, or any other potentially deadly or disabling infections that are spread through the sharing of used hypodermic needles and syringes, and requires the department to provide for a period of public comment, as specified, at least 45 days before approval of the application. This bill would instead allow the department to authorize an entity pursuant to these provisions only if the city, county, or city and county in which the entity will be operating has adopted an ordinance or resolution approving that authorization or reauthorization.