Both the House and Senate have approved a framework that allows needle-exchange programs in cities and counties across Indiana as long as they meet certain criteria.
That criteria (outlined in our previous story) is more restrictive than the original bill language, which would have allowed needle exchanges in all 92 counties.
Now, the state health commissioner must declare a public health emergency based on high rates of hepatitis C or HIV before a municipality can implement an exchange.
"The bill doesn't go far enough for some, for others it goes too far. I hope we've found the right balance of compromise here," Â Rep. Ed Clere said before the final vote. "I think we do."
The epidemic has been traced back to the sharing of dirty needles used to inject the prescription painkiller Opana.
"I'm sorry that's the reason for the discussion, but I'm glad we're having the discussion," Rep. Clere said. "It's a very important public health topic."
The governor originally approved a 30-day needle-exchange program only in Scott County, the epicenter of the outbreak. Earlier this month, he extended that executive order for a second 30-day period.
Health experts have testified that a more comprehensive exchange is needed, arguing that short-term fixes do not build enough trust between drug users and local health officials.
They have also warned that other counties with high rates of hepatitis C, a disease that is often spread the same way as HIV--through intravenous drug use--are at risk of HIV outbreaks similar to the one in Scott County.
Already, five HIV cases have been identified in neighboring Jackson County.
The House approved the needle-exchange framework 80 to 19 in the waning hours of the 2015 legislative session Wednesday night. The Senate passed it 38 to 11.
In a statement, Gov. Pence announced he plans to sign the bill into law, saying it will "save lives."
"Our administration worked closely with legislators in crafting this timely and important public health initiative, which I believe will enable our state's healthcare and law enforcement communities to address this and future health crises," the governor said.
Dr. Beth Meyerson, co-director for the Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention says it's great the bill passed, but it's only the first step.
"Now the rest of the marathon is going on, and we're at mile 13, you know? So it's like, 'I'm really tired. Oh, get a water break,'" she says. "Don't stop running."
Because of the way the request process is designed, Meyerson says there are many ways getting a needle exchange in a county could get held up.
A county might worry about a possible stigma associated with a declared public health emergency, or a local health official might be ideologically opposed to exchanges. Or it could get held up at the state level.
"The science is there. I guess that's the easy part. They have data now they could draw upon," she says. "I think the case could probably be made fairly easily. The question is whether it could be made and there's a political will locally to make it and move through those hoops."
Meyerson said she and many others in the public health community are eager to advise decision-makers through the process, both at the state and local levels.
