MINNER SIGNS NEEDLE EXCHANGE, CREDIT-COUNSELING BILLS

Controversial Needle Bill Sets Up A Pilot Program To Help Combat HIV/AIDS

Gov. Ruth Ann Minner today signed into law a controversial bill
allowing a pilot needle exchange program in Wilmington.

She also signed a bill aimed at protecting consumers from
fly-by-night credit-counseling services.

Minner said she hopes the needle exchange program will cut down on
the state's HIV/AIDS infection rates and the long-term health care
costs associated with the disease.

In addition to providing drug users with clean needles on a one
surrendered, one given basis, the program will provide HIV testing,
health counseling and information on drug treatment programs.

New Jersey now is the only state lacking a needle exchange program or
access to needles in pharmacies without a prescription.

Late last week, House Republicans tried to rally forces to get Minner
to veto the measure, but the effort failed.

Less controversial was House Bill 430, which sets up regulations for
licensing and regulating nonprofit credit-counseling businesses in
the First State.

In an earlier interview, Rep. Helene Keeley, D-Wilmington South, said
she pushed for the measure after learning of people who had been
taken in by groups claiming to be counseling firms.

Those people, she said, lost money and in some cases suffered more
damage to their credit rating after using the services.

"This is one of the most important pieces of consumer protection
legislation we've done in this General Assembly," she said at the time.