{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-24-902","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Health - General § 24–902","heading":"","body":"(a) (1) A Program may be established by a local health department or a community–based organization, subject to the provisions of this subtitle.\n(2) (i) A county may cooperate with another county to establish a Program.\n(ii) A community–based organization may establish a multicounty Program.\n(3) This subtitle does not apply to the AIDS Prevention Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Pilot Program established under Subtitle 8 of this title.\n(b) (1) (i) A local health department or community–based organization shall apply to the Department and a local health officer for authorization to operate a Program.\n(ii) A local health department or community–based organization may apply at any time for authorization to operate a Program under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.\n(2) The Department and a local health officer jointly shall issue an authorization determination based on the ability of a Program to meet the requirements of this subtitle.\n(3) The Department and a local health officer shall:\n(i) Approve or deny an application for authorization to operate a Program within 60 days after receiving a complete application; and\n(ii) Provide to the applicant a written explanation of the decision of the Department and local health officer.\n(4) (i) A local health department or community–based organization may appeal an adverse decision by the Department and a local health officer to the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee.\n(ii) The Secretary or the Secretary’s designee shall:\n1. Grant or deny an appeal within 60 days after receiving an appeal; and\n2. Provide a written explanation of the Secretary’s or the Secretary’s designee’s decision to the local health department or community–based organization.\n(c) If established under subsection (a) of this section, a Program shall:\n(1) Provide for substance use outreach, education, and linkage to treatment services to participants, including distribution and collection of hypodermic needles and syringes; and\n(2) Operate in accordance with:\n(i) The technical assistance of the Standing Advisory Committee; and\n(ii) The procedures, plans, and protocols approved by:\n1. The local health officer for each county in which a Program is established; and\n2. The Department.","path":["Article - Health - General"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=ghg\u0026section=24-902","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:48Z","sha256":"10465e160d8aac29d29152ccadb5682f385d76d536d9d4c37163411ef7a9ab32","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-24-901","next":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-24-903"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}