New York, NY Public Health Rules: Syringe Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- Admin Code § 17-180.1
- Enforcing agency
- NYC Health Department (DOHMH)
- Siting ban
- No distribution in/near playgrounds, schools
- Buyback incentive
- Up to 20¢/item, $10/day cap
- Disposal container
- Puncture-resistant, leakproof, given free
Summary
New York City requires syringe service programs to give participants portable sharps disposal containers, and bars mobile syringe programs from distributing needles within playgrounds, near playgrounds, or on or near school premises.
The department shall require each syringe service program to ... Offer each participant of such syringe service program a portable needle, syringe, and sharp disposal container. ... A mobile syringe service program shall not distribute hypodermic syringes and needles in the following locations in the city: within any playground; within 50 feet of a playground, where practicable; on any school premises, or adjacent to any school premises.
Full Breakdown
NYC's syringe service programs, authorized under the state health department, must give each participant a puncture-resistant, leakproof portable sharps container for safe disposal of used needles, syringes, and lancets, plus guidance on where to drop off sharps locally. Separately, mobile syringe service programs operating from a van, bus, or automobile cannot hand out hypodermic needles inside any playground, within 50 feet of one where practicable, or on or adjacent to school premises. The Health Department also runs a needle, syringe, and sharps buyback pilot paying up to 20 cents per item, capped at $10 daily, in the city's five highest-need council districts.
Violations & Fines
The excerpted section sets no fine schedule; it binds DOHMH-authorized syringe service and mobile syringe programs, not individuals. Programs distributing needles within banned playground or school zones, or skipping disposal-container guidance, risk losing program authorization and DOHMH oversight action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can't NYC mobile syringe programs hand out needles?
How do syringe service program participants dispose of used needles?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New York
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