Christine Hayes
I am writing to express my strong opposition to HSB705. While grateful to hear in this morning's subcommittee meeting that the intention is to limit the definition of "controlled substance" to illicit substances, that does not resolve the concern. For example, in the event providers had knowledge of illegal controlled substance use/transfer and took appropriate action to curb the behavior up to and including calling law enforcement, the bill's absolute liability would punish providers regardless. In many communities, this means the area's only provider losing funding for three years through no fault of their own, for an action about which they had knowledge EXPRESSLY BECAUSE of their diligence and exemplary oversight of what is happening in their facilities. Further, punishing homeless service providers for another's independent activity on site makes precisely as much sense as punishing a school district for someone's activity at school, clinicians for activity in a clinic, etc.
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