Public Health

SB 91 extends the expiration date of the state's syringe exchange program to July 1, 2036. This directly affects people who use syringe exchange services, primarily to prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis. The bill changes the program's current expiration date to a new end date in 2036, ensuring continued funding and operation. It does not alter the program's existing structure or eligibility requirements.

Removes an examination requirement for certain pharmacists for license reciprocity. Requires an individual to pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination to be eligible for licensure as a pharmacist. Voids or requires the amendment of certain administrative rules. Makes technical changes.

Prohibits health practitioners and other specified individuals from performing pelvic, prostate, or rectal examinations on an anesthetized or unconscious patient except in specified circumstances. Specifies the requirements of a notice of informed consent.

Eliminates a requirement that home health aide competency evaluation program training include at least 75 hours of training and 16 hours of classroom training before supervised practical training. Amends the educational requirements for dental hygienists. Amends the requirements for administration of nitrous oxide by a dental hygienist. Allows the state board of dentistry to establish additional requirements for an applicant who has failed the licensure examination at least three times. Amends the licensure and temporary permit requirements for respiratory care practitioners. Provides that a current or former police officer or firefighter (first responder) may recover medical benefits from the first responder's employer for an employment related injury or illness without first proceeding with a worker's compensation claim. Provides that if a first responder pursues a worker's compensation claim for medical benefits and the claim is withdrawn or denied, the first responder is not precluded from recovering medical benefits from the employer. Repeals the penalty in Title 16 concerning the crime of transferring contaminated semen. (Current statute contains a transferring of contaminated body fluids crime in Title 35 remains in law.)

Amends the definition of "ambulatory outpatient surgical center" to remove the requirement that a surgical procedure is permitted to be performed only by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist who has certain hospital privileges. Prohibits a hospital, debt collector, or other third party from pursuing medical debt collection if the hospital is noncompliant with specified statutes. Requires the Indiana department of health (state department) to determine on a semiannual basis whether a hospital is in compliance with the statutes and notify a hospital concerning the state department's compliance determination. Authorizes the attorney general to suspend the authority of a hospital to pursue medical debt collection when the state department has made a final determination that the hospital is noncompliant. Creates an affirmative defense for a debtor if the collection attempt occurred while the hospital was noncompliant. Requires a hospital to provide the state department with 60 days written notice if the hospital plans to: (1) close and permanently terminate all hospital operations; or (2) completely eliminate a service line for longer than 90 days. Allows for a waiver of the notification requirements in specified circumstances.