Needle and syringe exchange services.

Assembly Member Tangipa's needle exchange accountability measure would establish a comprehensive tracking system for hypodermic needles and syringes distributed through California's authorized exchange programs. The legislation requires exchange providers to assign unique serial numbers to each needle and syringe, maintain detailed distribution and collection records, and submit quarterly reports to state and local health authorities.

Under the proposed system, providers must affix machine-printed serial number labels to all distributed items and document when needles are dispensed, returned, and destroyed. The quarterly reports would include total distribution and collection figures along with searchable databases of serial numbers. When improperly discarded needles are found, local health officers would use these serial numbers to identify the distributing organization. The Department of Public Health would then assess $1,000 penalties per violation against providers whose needles are discovered abandoned or improperly disposed.

The bill creates additional penalties for fraudulent reporting, with $25,000 fines for first violations and $40,000 fines plus suspension of operations for subsequent infractions within five years. These penalties would fund a new Needle and Syringe Disposal Fund to support implementation. The measure maintains privacy protections by prohibiting the collection of personally identifiable information about individuals receiving or returning needles. Local health departments may receive supplemental state funding to assist with collection and disposal costs.