Call to Action – We Need Your Help!
Three years after lawmakers approved a pilot needle-exchange program for Miami-Dade County through the University of Miami, legislation is being considered to expand the program. HB 171 by Reps. Shevrin Jones (D-West Park) and Rene Plasencia (R-Orlando) and SB 366 by Senator Oscar Braynon (D-Miami) establishes the Infectious Disease Elimination Act (IDEA) and allows counties to establish sterile needle and syringe exchange programs through the adoption of a county ordinance and satisfaction of the specified program requirements. Exchange programs must cooperate with the Department of Health (DOH) and the local county health department. Programs are prohibited from using state and local funds for its operation and must use grants and donations from private sources to fund the program.
HB 171 may be heard by the House Judiciary Committee next week. Zero Pinellas needs your help in contacting the members of the House Judiciary Committee. Our message is clear: Ask the State Representative to support this very important piece of legislation to our state
House Judiciary Committee – Support HB 171
| Judiciary Committee Members | District City | Capital Office | Email Address |
| Rep. Paul Renner, Chair | Palm Coast | (850) 717-5024 | Paul.Renner@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Bob Rommel, Vice Chair | Naples | (850) 717-5106 | Bob.Rommel@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Ben Diamond, Ranking (D) | St. Petersburg | (850) 717-5068 | Ben.Diamond@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Ramon Alexander | Tallahassee | (850) 717-5008 | ramon.alexander@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Mike Beltran | Valrico | (850) 717-5057 | Mike.Beltran@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Chuck Brannan | Lake City | (850) 717-5010 | chuck.brannan@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Fentrice Driskell | Tampa | (850) 717-5063 | Fentrice.Driskell@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin | Miami | (850) 717-5119 | JuanF.Barquin@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen | Fort Myers | (850) 717-5078 | Heather.Fitzenhagen@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Joe Geller | Dania Beach | (850) 717-5100 | joseph.geller@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Mike Gottlieb | Plantation | (850) 717-5098 | Mike.Gottlieb@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. James Grant | Tampa | (850) 717-5064 | james.grant@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Tommy Gregory | Bradenton | (850) 717-5073 | Tommy.Gregory@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Mike Hill | Pensacola | (850) 717-5001 | mike.hill@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Sam Killebrew | Winter Haven | (850) 717-5041 | Sam.Killebrew@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Chip LaMarca | Lighthouse Point | (850) 717-5093 | Chip.LaMarca@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Amy Mercado | Orlando | (850) 717-5048 | Amy.Mercado@myfloridahouse.gov |
| Rep. Tyler Sirois | Merritt Island | (850) 717-5051 | Tyler.Sirois@myfloridahouse.gov |
|