IndianaSB 91Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)Senate

Syringe exchange program.

Sponsored By: Michael Crider (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Prohibits a qualified entity that operates a syringe exchange program (program) from establishing or operating a fixed site for the distribution or exchange of a syringe or needle within 1,000 feet of specified facilities. Creates an exception. Allows the Indiana department of health to deny, suspend, or revoke a qualified entity's annual registration for a violation. Amends the duties of a qualified entity that operates a program. Establishes requirements for program participation. Prohibits a qualified entity that operates a program from providing chemical reagents or precursors. Requires the state health commissioner to investigate any complaint regarding a qualified entity's noncompliance with the qualified entity's duties concerning the operation of a program. Permits the state health commissioner to suspend or terminate the approval of a qualified entity for noncompliance. Extends the expiration of the program to July 1, 2031.

health and provider servicesthe housepublic health

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Tighter participation rules for syringe exchange

To use an Indiana syringe exchange program, you must show valid identification and live in an eligible county. For most programs, your county must be in the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s balance-of-state continuum of care region where the program is located. For Marion County programs, you must live in Marion County or a county that borders it. Programs can give no more than one sterile syringe and needle for each used syringe and needle returned. The law also removes the ban on collecting or recording personally identifying information, without saying what information programs collect instead.

Syringe exchange authority lasts five years longer

Indiana extends the legal authority for syringe exchange programs by five years. The program law now expires July 1, 2031, instead of July 1, 2026. This lets qualified programs keep operating longer.

Syringe exchange sites face tighter oversight

Effective upon passage, fixed syringe distribution or exchange sites cannot open or operate within 1,000 feet of certain facilities without their operators’ written approval. These include public and nonpublic schools, licensed child care centers, and buildings or structures mainly used for religious worship. Distance is measured in a straight line from the site to the nearest point on the facility’s property line. Programs can still offer overdose intervention drugs, referrals, education, and safe disposal of used syringes or needles at these sites. The state health department can deny, suspend, or revoke annual registration for location-rule violations. Separately, the state health commissioner must investigate complaints of program noncompliance and can suspend or end approval after finding a violation.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Michael Crider

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Alex Zimmerman

    Republican • House

  • Brett Clark

    Republican • Senate

  • Ed Charbonneau

    Republican • Senate

  • Edward Clere

    Republican • House

  • Ethan Lawson

    Republican • House

  • Kyle Walker

    Republican • Senate

  • La Keisha Jackson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lonnie Randolph

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Bohacek

    Republican • Senate

  • Rodney Pol

    Democratic • Senate

  • Shelli Yoder

    Democratic • Senate

  • Victoria Garcia Wilburn

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 141 • No: 45

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Senate concurred with House amendments

Yes: 38 • No: 10

House vote • 2/18/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 70 • No: 22

Senate vote • 1/27/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 33 • No: 13

Bill Text

  • Engrossed Senate Bill (H)

  • Engrossed Senate Bill (S)

  • Enrolled Senate Bill (S)

  • Introduced Senate Bill (S)

  • Senate Bill (H)

  • Senate Bill (S)

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation