Opioid Prescribing and Pain Management 2015 Legislative Summary

State Legislation Description Last Action

Alabama

SB427: This bill requires coverage for abuse-deterrent opioid analgesics and establishes rules regarding the imposition of cost-sharing.

4/30/2015 – First Read. Referred to Senate Cmte on HHS

HB 133: This bill establishes rules for registration and fees for physicians providing pain management services. Allows for a single initial and renewal fee, with no additional fee for additional locations (Similar Bills: SB 167)

4/28/2015 – Second Read. Placed on the Calendar

SB 326: This bill creates the Medical Marijuana Patient Safe Access Act, authorizing medical use of marijuana only for certain qualifying patients who have been diagnosed by a physician as having a serious medical condition.

6/3/2015 – Indefinitely Postponed

Alaska

SB23: This bill makes provisions related to opioid overdose drugs and to immunity for prescribing, providing, or administering opioid overdose drugs.

4/19/15 – Passed Senate. Referred to Health and Social Services

Arizona

SB1031: This bill requires health care professionals contracted with Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) health plans to check the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring database before prescribing a controlled substance and for pharmacists to check the database before filling a prescription.

1/21/15 – Senate Second Read. HHS Discussion only

SB1370: This bill requires medical practitioners to gain access to the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program (CSPMP).

3/23/15 – Enacted

HB 2346: This bill rules that a workers’ compensation carrier or self-insured employer providing workers’ compensation benefits is not required to reimburse medical marijuana costs.

4/6/2015 – Signed by the Governor

HB 2489: This bill authorizes a trained emergency medical technician (EMT) or peace officer to administer an opiate antagonist to a person suffering from an opiate overdose.

4/10/15 – HB2489 now Chapter 313

Arkansas

SB880: This bill enhances the emergency services of first responders, creates the “Naloxone Access Act”, and provides immunity for prescribing, dispensing, and administering naloxone and other opioid antagonists.

4/8/15 – SB880 is now Act 1222

HB1350: This bill amends the “Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Act” and exempts veterinarians from the prescription drug-monitoring program.

4/22/15 – Died in Senate

SB698: This bill grants certain law enforcement investigators access to the prescription drug-monitoring program to enhance investigative capability.

4/1/15 – SB698 is now Act 901

SB717: This bill creates the “Combating Prescription Drug Abuse Act” and enhances the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Act. Establishes rules regarding prescriber immunity, prescriber education, licensing board rules, patient evaluation, and prescriber requirements. (Similar bills: HB 1604)

4/7/15 – SB717 is now Act 1208

California

AB623: This bill establishes rules regarding prescribing and health insurance coverage of abuse deterrent drugs, including requiring insurers to cover abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug products.

5/28/15 – Held Under Submission by Cmte on APPR.

AB611: This bill authorizes an individual designated to investigate holders of professional licenses, to apply to the Department of Justice to obtain approval to access information contained in the CURES PDMP.

4/21/15 – Cmte on Business, Professions and Consumer Protection Hearing Canceled by Author.

SB482: This bill establishes requirements for prescribers to consult the CURES database regarding prescription of a Schedule II or Schedule III controlled substance.

5/28/15 – Passed Third Read. Ordered to the Assembly.

Colorado

HB 15-1214: This bill allows the governor to direct the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention to study the barriers to the use of abuse-

5/11/15 – Enacted

deterrent opioid analgesic drug products as a way to reduce abuse and diversion of opioid drug products.

Connecticut

HB5102: This bill prohibits the prescribing of opiates to any person under the age of twenty-five except when opiates are to be administered to such person, solely during inpatient treatment within a hospital.

1/7/15 – Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health

HB 6856: This bill establishes requirements for prescribers with regards to the prescription drug monitoring program, it allows pharmacists with special certification to prescribe opioid antagonists, and expands the existing immunity for all prescribers regarding opioid antagonists. This bill also requires physicians, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), dentists, and physician assistants (PAs) to take continuing education in prescribing controlled substances and pain management.

6/30/15 – Signed by the Governor

HB 5782: This bill authorizes licensed pharmacists to dispense or administer opioid antagonists. The bill also expands the current civil and criminal immunity for licensed health care professionals with regards to opioid antagonists.

4/13/15 – Tabled for House Calendar

HB 5784: This bill prohibits pharmacists from making substitutions when an abuse-deterrent opioid is prescribed, unless the pharmacist receives written permission from the prescribing health care provider.

2/13/15 – Public Hearing 02/17

HB 5906: This bill allows primary health care providers to provide methadone treatment to patients in office settings, and qualified nurse practitioners to prescribe drugs other than methadone to treat opioid addiction.

3/4/15 – Public Hearing 03/11

SB 21: This bill requires the Insurance Department to study opioid analgesics. The bill also appropriates up to $100,000 for resources.

5/30/15 – Referred by Senate to Committee on Appropriations

HB 5778: This bill requires every practitioner who distributes, administers, or dispenses any controlled substance to utilize the electronic prescription drug-monitoring program.

1/21/15 – Referred to Joint Committee on General Law

SB 933: This bill make licensing and license renewal for practitioners who distribute, administer, or dispense controlled substances contingent on registration in the electronic prescription drug-monitoring program.

2/20/15 – Public Hearing 02/24

HB 6265: This bill increases monitoring of prescription drugs to prevent any person from obtaining multiple prescriptions for the same drug from different health care providers.

2/27/15 – Public Hearing 03/04

HB 6279: This bill requires health care providers who are authorized to prescribe controlled substances to complete continuing education courses in prescription drugs and pain management, to register for access to the prescription drug-monitoring program before being permitted to renew their licenses, and to utilize the prescription drug monitoring program or risk revocation of their licenses. This bill also requires pharmacies to allow the return of unused prescription drugs.

2/27/15 – Public Hearing 03/04

District of Columbia NONE

Delaware

SB 8: This bill amends title 16 of the Delaware code, which inadvertently omitted the exception for veterinarians and methadone clinics from dispensing more than 72 hours of a controlled substance.

4/2/15 – Signed by the Governor

Florida

HB 751: This bill establishes the “Emergency Treatment and Recovery Act, which authorizes health care practitioners to prescribe and dispense opioid antagonists to patients, caregivers, and first responders. Pharmacists are authorized to dispense an appropriately labeled opioid antagonist based on a prescription that has been issue. Emergency responders are authorized to possess, store, and administer emergency opioid antagonists as clinically indicated. Provides civil immunity for prescribing, dispensing, and administering naloxone and other opioid antagonists. (Similar Bills: HB 155, SB 758)

6/11/15 – HB 751 is now Chapter No. 2015-123

SB 728: This bill allows a health insurance policy that covers opioid analgesic drug products to impose a prior authorization requirement for an abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug product. This bill prohibits requiring use of an opioid analgesic drug product without an abuse-deterrence labeling claim before providing coverage for an abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug product. (Similar Bills: HB 1021)

4/28/15 –Temporarily Postponed on Third Reading (HJ877). Died on Calendar

SB 450: This bill (Chapter 2015-49, L.O.F.) saves the regulation of pain management clinics from repeal on January 1, 2016. This bill prohibits a medical doctor from practicing in a pain management clinic that is not registered with the Department of Health (DOH), provides minimum requirements for the operation of pain management clinics, and requires that each clinic be inspected on an annual basis by the DOH. (Similar Bills: HB 4017)

5/22/15 – SB 450 is now Chapter No. 2015-49

SB 528: This bill creates “The Florida Medical Marijuana Act,” which, among other provisions, allows registered patients and designated caregivers to purchase, acquire, and possess medical-grade marijuana subject to specified requirements.

5/1/15 – Died in Regulated Industries

Georgia

SB 7066: This bill, among other provisions, revises the illnesses and symptoms for which a physician may order a patient the medical use of low-THC cannabis in certain circumstances requires the department to allow specified persons engaged in research to access the compassionate use registry.

5/1/15 – Died on Calendar

HB 407: This bill amends Article 10 of Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to pain management clinics to require Opioid Education and Pro-Active Addiction Counseling for patients who are prescribed Schedule II or III controlled substances for chronic pain for extended periods.

2/23/15 – House Second Readers

SB 245: This bill, among other provisions, requires health insurers to cover abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug products as the preferred drugs on their formulary preferred drug list and prohibits an increase in patient cost sharing.

3/31/15 – Read and Referred

HB 179: This bill provides that no pain management clinic shall provide medical treatment or services unless a physician or physician assistant authorized to prescribe controlled substances (or an advanced practice registered nurse authorized to prescribe controlled substances pursuant to a physician protocol, or a certified registered nurse anesthetist acting within their scope of practice) is on-site at the pain management clinic.

2/3/15 – House Second Readers

HB 212: This bill provides that no controlled substance shall be prescribed or dispensed in a pain management clinic unless a physician, a physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse, authorized to prescribe controlled substances is on-site at the pain management clinic. Dispensing shall not include the administration of anesthesia pursuant to a physician's order.

3/11/15 – Senate Read and Referred

SB 7: This bill creates the Controlled Substances Therapeutic Relief Act, which among other provisions, allows for the use of medical marijuana for an expanded number of debilitating conditions and to provide for controlled substances therapeutic relief.

2/11/15 – Senate Read and Referred

Hawaii

SB 1229: This bill establishes the Narcotics Advisory Committee to recommend topics and curriculum for the continuing medical education program, and establishes requirements for a continuing medical education program for prescribing practitioners that prescribe narcotic drugs. Among other provisions, this bill also establishes rules regarding prescriber immunity, and the Hawaii drug take-back and education initiative.

2/11/15 – The Committee on HTH/PSM/JDL Deferred the Measure

SB 303: This bill establishes the Hawaii drug take-back and education initiative to coordinate and increase the safe return and disposal of drugs. This bill also authorizes the narcotics enforcement and prescription drug monitoring advisory committee to advise the department of public safety narcotics enforcement division.

3/24/15 – Passed Second Reading as Amended and Referred to the Committee(s) on FIN

HB 321: This bill replaces the requirement that a certifying physician (for Medical Marijuana) be the qualifying patient's primary care physician with a requirement

7/15/15 – HB 321 is now Act 241

that the physician have a bona fide physician-patient relationship with the qualifying patient. (Similar Bills: SB 682)

HB 251: This bill adopts the Interstate Compact on Prescription Monitoring and creates the Interstate Prescription Monitoring Program Commission

1/26/15 – First Read. Referred to HLT, CPC, FIN

Idaho

H 108: This bill amends and adds to existing law to specify how opioid antagonists may be prescribed and administered in certain circumstances. Provides for prescriber immunity from civil, administrative, or criminal prosecution.

3/23/15 – Signed by the Governor. Session Law Chapter 88

Illinois

HB 2743: This bill, among other provisions related to abuse-deterrent coverage, requires government programs and accident and health insurance policies to provide coverage for abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drugs as preferred drugs on their formulary, preferred drug list, or other lists of similar construct. (Similar Bills: SB 1802)

5/31/15 – Re-referred to Rules Committee

HB 2940: This bill amends the Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act and the Good Samaritan Act, to provide health care professional and first responder immunity related to prescribing, dispensing, and administering opioid antidotes.

3/27/15 – Re-referred to Rules Committee

HB 3936: This bill establishes rules for hospital and coroner reporting requirements with regards to opioid overdose to the Department of Public Health.

2/27/15 – First Reading

HB 3321: This bill provides health care professional, and first responder immunity related to prescribing, dispensing, and administering opioid antidotes.

3/27/15 – Re-referred to Rules Committee

SB 10: This bill adds state and local law enforcement agencies to the list of agencies that may apply for grants to create or support local drug overdose prevention, recognition, and response projects.

5/15/15 – Re-referred to Rules Committee

SB 1201: This bill provides that first responders may administer an opioid antidote in an emergency, if the person has been trained in the administration of opioid antidotes or has received documentation including drug overdose recognition, opioid antidote dosage and administration, and care for the overdose victim after administration of the overdose antidote.

2/11/15 – First Reading

SB 1466: This bill allows a licensed pharmacist to dispense an opioid antidote under certain circumstances and requires the pharmacist to complete a training program approved by the Department of Human Services under the Drug Overdose Prevention Program authorized under Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act.

8/7/15 – SB 1466 is now Public Act 99-0319

SB 1810: This bill authorizes a person who is not otherwise licensed to administer an opioid antidote but who is permitted under the Act to administer an opioid antidote in an emergency if the person has received certain patient information and believes in good faith that another person is experiencing a drug overdose.

5/31/15 – Re-referred to Rules Committee

Indiana

HB 1449: This bill establishes rules related to pain management and Medicaid reimbursement of opioid and pain management drugs. This bill also establishes rules for the Division of Mental Health and Addiction with relation to opioids and pain management.

4/20/15 – Passed House, Then Senate with Amendments. House and Senate Conferees appointed.

SB 406: This bill requires certain emergency personnel to report to the State Department of Health the number of times an overdose intervention medication is administered. Also allows certain health care professionals prescriptive authority to dispense, write a prescription, or prepare a standing order for an overdose intervention drug. Also provides for civil immunity for an individual who obtains and administers an overdose intervention drug if certain conditions are met.

4/17/15 – SB 406 is now Public Law 32

Iowa NONE

Kansas

SB 102: This bill establishes rules regarding prescribing and health insurance coverage of abuse deterrent drug, including requiring insurers to cover abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug products.

1/29/15 – Referred to Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance

HB 2011: This bill enacts the “Cannabis Compassion and Care Act,” providing for the legal use of cannabis for certain debilitating medical conditions and for the registration and function of compassion centers. It also authorizes the issuance of identification cards, establishes a “Compassion Board,” and provides for administration of the act by the Department of Health and Environment. (Similar bills: SB 9)

1/12/15 – Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

Kentucky

HB 41: This bill, among other provisions, expands availability of naloxone by allowing a person or agency, including a peace officer or a first responder, to receive a naloxone prescription and provides immunity for persons seeking emergency help in drug overdose situations. Encourages the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to study certain opioid treatment initiatives, to establish an evidence-based treatment task force relating to the disease of addiction, and to develop county and regional wraparound teams for opioid addiction. Also encourages the Cabinet to collaborate with medical schools and post-graduate training programs to include ten hours of coursework on addiction for all medical professionals, increase continuing education units for medical and health professionals relating to the disease of addiction, and make legislative recommendations to the Interim Joint Committee on Health and welfare. Requires the Department of Criminal Justice Training to offer voluntary regionalized in-service training on the topic of heroin for law enforcement officers.

1/6/15 – Introduced in House. Referred to Judiciary

HB 53: This bill, among other provisions, increases the availability of Naloxone for use in situations involving individuals suffering from an apparent opiate-related overdose. Encourages the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to study evidence-based medical management standards related to treatment for addiction in Kentucky and overdose prevention and develop county and regional response teams for heroin and opioid addiction. Also encourages the Cabinet to collaborate with medical schools and post-graduate training programs to include ten hours of coursework on addiction for all medical professionals, increase continuing education units for medical and health professionals relating to the disease of addiction, and make legislative recommendations to the Interim Joint Committee on Health and welfare. Requires the Department of Criminal Justice Training to offer voluntary regionalized in-service training on the topic of heroin for law enforcement officers.

1/6/15 – Introduced in House. Referred to Judiciary

HB 112: This bill, among other provisions, increases the availability of Naloxone and provides a "Good Samaritan" defense to those seeking emergency help in drug overdose situations. Encourages the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to study community response to opioid addiction and to make any recommendation for legislation relating to substance abuse to the Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare and encourages the Department of Criminal Justice Training to offer voluntary regionalized in-service training on the topic of heroin.

1/8/15 – Referred to Judiciary

HB 213: This bill, among other provisions, allow the opiate overdose rescue medication naloxone to be prescribed to persons, agencies, or school employees capable of administering the medication in emergency situations; allow first responders to access and utilize the medication; allow pharmacists certified to do so to prescribe and dispense the medication. Encouraging the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to study certain opioid treatment initiatives, establish an evidence-based treatment task force relating to the disease of addiction and develop county and regional wraparound teams for opioid addiction. Encourages collaboration with medical schools and post-graduate training programs to include ten hours of coursework on addiction for all medical professionals, increase continuing education units for medical and health professionals relating to the disease of addiction, and make legislative recommendations to the Interim Joint

2/20/15 – Passed House. Referred to Judiciary

Committee on Health and Welfare. Directs the Department of Criminal Justice Training to conduct regionalized heroin-specific in-service training for law enforcement officers by December 31, 2016.

HB 538: This bill requires that a health benefit plan provide coverage for abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drugs products as preferred drugs on its formulary or similar lists of coverage of prescriptions at the same payment and prior authorization requirements as an opioid analgesic drug that does not have abuse-deterrent properties. An insurer shall not require use of a non-abuse deterrent opioid analgesic drug product before allowing access to an abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug product.

2/24/15 – First Reading. Returned to Banking & Insurance

HB 329: This bill modifies the regulatory, operational, and ownership requirements for pain management facilities that are owned solely by physicians and other practitioners.

3/20/15 – HB 329 is now Act Ch. 033

Louisiana

HB 210: This bill authorizes the prescribing or dispensing of naloxone to third parties relative to the treatment for overdose of controlled dangerous.

6/23/15 – HB 210 is now Act No. 192

SB 115: This bill establishes rules with respect to the practice of authorized physician assistants and the prescribing of controlled substances.

7/1/15 – SB 115 is now Act 453

Maine

LD 140: This bill expands access to lifesaving opioid overdose medication by allowing prescriptions to individuals close to those at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose. Immunity is provided from civil and criminal liability for the prescription and administration for prescribers and those who administer the drug. This bill also grants limited immunity from criminal prosecution for those who seek medical assistance when a person is experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose.

6/30/15 – Enacted. Became law without governor’s signature. LD 140 is now Public Law 351

LD 812: This bill authorizes the prescription, possession and administration of opioid antagonists under certain circumstances and provides criminal and civil immunities for such prescription, possession and administration.

4/23/15 – Last Senate Action: Placed in Legislative Files (Dead)

LD 919: This bill requires all health insurance carriers offering individual and group health plans to provide coverage for abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug products as preferred drugs on any formulary, preferred drug list or other list of drugs used by the carrier. The bill applies to all policies and contracts issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2016.

7/16/15 – LD 919 is now Public Law 371

Maryland

HB 3: This bill requires a prescriber and a dispenser to query the prescription drug-monitoring program before prescribing or dispensing a monitored prescription drug to a patient. It also requires, except under specified circumstances, a prescriber and a dispenser to query the program for a specified purpose before prescribing or dispensing a monitored prescription drug to a patient. This bill makes a prescriber or dispenser who violates the act subject to disciplinary action.

3/17/15 – Unfavorable Report by Health and Government Operations

SB 199: This bill requires that specified regulations adopted by the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene include a requirement that the process for approval of a license for an opioid maintenance program include an assessment. The assessment must include of the number of existing slots in specified programs in a specified zip code and the number of individuals in need of specified services in a specified zip code, the severity of drug-related crime in a specified zip code, the population at risk of opioid addiction in a specified zip code, and the need for a program. (Similar bills: HB 1134)

3/23/15 – Passed Senate. First Reading Health and Government Operations

SB 606: This bill requires insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for at least two brand name abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug products and, if available, at least two generic abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug products. It prohibits insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations from requiring an insured or an enrollee to first use a specified drug product before

5/12/15 – SB 606 is now Chapter 372

providing coverage for a specified abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug product. (Similar Bills: HB 887)

SB 757: This bill expands the entities to which the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) must disclose prescription drug monitoring data. This bill also clarifies that PDMP must disclose data to the State Board of Physicians (MBP), on issuance of an administrative subpoena voted on by a quorum of a disciplinary panel of the board, for the purposes of furthering an existing bona fide investigation of an individual.

5/12/15 – SB 757 is now Chapter 381

Massachusetts

H 1803: This bill seeks to combat the opioid addiction epidemic by establishing the minimum reimbursement rate for adult residential behavioral health and addiction treatment.

7/22/15 – Joint Hearing Scheduled for 07/28/15 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1

H 1809: This bill directs the Divisions of Medical Assistance to provide coverage for the administration of all Food and Drug Administration approved drugs for the treatment of opioid dependence and establish billing codes and rates of payment for licensed methadone clinics to provide services to eligible individuals needing treatment for opioid dependence.

9/28/15 – Referred to the Committee on Health Care Financing

Report S 2008: This is a report of the Special Senate Committee on Opioid Addiction Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Options submitting its findings and recommendations.

9/10/15 – Senate placed on file

H 1993: This bill requires pain assessment and management in health care facilities.

10/13/15 – Joint Hearing Scheduled for 10/20/2015 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-2

H 2006: This bill allows for the use of needles on trigger points, Ashi points, soft indurations, motor points and/or for intramuscular needling for the treatment of myofascial pain will be considered the practice of acupuncture.

11/9/15 – Joint Hearing Scheduled for 11/17/15 from 10:00 AM-05:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium

H 2060: This bill establishes requirements regarding the dispensing of controlled substances.

7/14/15 – Joint Hearing Rescheduled to 07/14/15 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2

Michigan

HB 4207: This bill establishes licensure requirements and revises requirements for nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists. This bill also requires continuing education or competency courses or activities for an appropriate number of hours or courses in pain and symptom management. (Similar Bills: SB 68)

2/17/15 – Referred to Committee on Health Policy

HB 4811: This bill requires the department to establish a prescription drug monitoring system to report prescriptions and allow interstate sharing under certain circumstances.

8/18/15 – Referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform

SB 320: This bill expands the scope of practice for anesthesiologist assistants, but the anesthesia and analgesia services described in subdivision (a) do not include chronic pain management services. However, an anesthesiologist assistant may perform chronic pain management services under delegation.

5/7/15 – Referred to Committee On Health Policy

Minnesota

SF 917: This bill requires that a health benefit plan provide coverage for abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drugs at the same payment and prior authorization requirements as an opioid analgesic drug that does not have abuse-deterrent properties. (Similar Bills: HF 1038)

2/19/15 – Referred to Health, Human Services and Housing

SF 1733: This bill establishes requirements for reports on medications used for the treatment of opioid addiction. (Similar Bills: HF 1476)

3/16/15 – Referred to Health, Human Services and Housing

HF 1141: This bill makes provisions for chronic and intractable pain to be added as qualifying medical condition in the medical cannabis registry program. (Similar Bills: SF 545)

2/23/15 – First reading, referred to Health and Human Services Reform

Mississippi

HB 422: This bill prohibits pharmacists from substituting analgesic drugs for an opioid analgesic drug incorporating a tamper resistance technology without

2/3/15 – Died in Committee

verifying equivalence or obtaining the written, signed consent of the prescribing physician.

HB 692: This bill creates the “Emergency Response and Overdose Prevention Act,” which authorizes physicians and certain other licensed health care providers to prescribe an opioid antagonist to a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose. It authorizes the pharmacists to dispense opioid antagonists under a prescription issued in accordance with this act. Also authorizes individuals to administer an opioid antagonist to another person believed to be experiencing an opioid-related overdose and authorizes emergency medical technicians to administer an opioid antagonist as clinically indicated. The bill provides immunity from civil or criminal liability or professional licensing sanctions for the aforementioned individuals and immunity from arrest or prosecution for certain drug violations by a person seeking treatment for a drug overdose if the evidence of the violation results from the medical treatment of the drug overdose.

3/13/15 – HB 692 is now Chapter 337

Missouri

HB 800: This act creates the “Missouri Compassionate Care Act”. The act provides a licensure process for medical cannabis centers and medical cannabis cultivation and production facilities, which may possess, cultivate, and dispense cannabis to assist patients with certain debilitating medical conditions (Similar Bills: SB 395)

4/08/15 – HCS Reported Do Pass

HB 1077: This bill requires any pain management clinic not associated with a hospital to be owned by a physician who is board certified in pain management.

5/11/15 – HCS Reported Do Pass

SB 217: This bill requires certain types of intervention pain management, including ablation of targeted nerves, percutaneous precision needle placement within the spinal column, and laser or endoscopic discectomy, to be performed only by licensed physicians, with certain exceptions (Similar Bills: HB 393)

3/2/2015 – Hearing Conducted by Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee

SB 111: This act establishes the Prescription Drug Monitoring Act. The Department of Health and Senior Services is required to establish and maintain a program to monitor the dispensing of all Schedule II through Schedule IV controlled substances in this state using an existing data aggregation platform through the State Data Center within the Office of Administration. This bill was combined with SB 63 to establish the Narcotics Control Act. (Similar Bills: HB 130)

5/15/15 –Bills for Third Reading w/ HCS

Montana NONE

Nebraska

LB 471: This bill sets forth a timeline and stipulations for the implementation of the Prescription Drug Monitoring System. It also appropriates five hundred thousand dollars for fiscal year 2015-16 to the Department of Health and Human Services for implementation.

1/28/15 – Notice of Hearing for 1/11/15

LR 231: This bill requests an interim study to examine the effectiveness of the prescription drug-monitoring program currently housed within the Nebraska Health Information Initiative.

10/5/15 – Notice of Hearing for 12/12/15

Nevada

SB 459: This bill establishes an opioid overdose prevention policy for Nevada. 5/5/15 – SB 459 is now Chapter 26

SB 309: This bill enacts the “Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act,” authorizing certain health care professionals to prescribe and dispense an opioid antagonist to certain persons under certain circumstances and providing immunity from civil and criminal liability and professional discipline. It also provides criminal and other immunity for persons who seek medical assistance for a person who is experiencing a drug or alcohol overdose under certain circumstances.

3/16/`5 – Read First Time. Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

SB 219: This bill requires policies of health insurance and health care plans to treat an abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug in the same manner as a non-abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug under certain circumstances. It also requires policies of health insurance and health care plans to disclose certain incentives paid to providers.

3/5/15 – Read First Time. Referred to Committee on Commerce, Labor and Energy

SB 288: This bill requires each person who is authorized to prescribe or dispense a controlled substance to be provided access to the database of the computerized program to track prescriptions for certain controlled substances that are filled by pharmacies. It also requires each practitioner who is authorized to prescribe controlled substances to access the database and, to the extent that the program allows, review certain information and verify to the Board that he or she continues to have access to the database. This bill authorizes various professional licensing boards to take disciplinary action against a person who fails to comply with these requirements.

5/27/15 – SB 288 is now Chapter 247

SB 265: This bill creates the Advisory Council on Palliative Care and Quality of Life and establishes the Palliative Care Consumer and Professional Information and Education Program within the Department of Health and Human Services.

6/2/15 – Heard by Committee on Finance. No Further Action Taken

New Hampshire

HB 271: This bill exempts from the provisions of the Controlled Drug Act a health care professional or other person who prescribes, dispenses, distributes, or stores an opioid antagonist, or who administers it to an individual suffering from an apparent opioid-related overdose.

6/3/15 – HB 271 is now Chapter 65

SB 31: This bill amends registration requirements for prescribers and dispensers. Allows the board to use information and reports from the program, provided that the data is aggregated or otherwise de-identified. Allows the program to provide information in the prescription health and safety program upon request, in addition to currently permitted parties, to controlled prescription drug health and safety program from another state and to an entity that operates a secure interstate prescription drug data exchange system for the purpose of interoperability and the mutual secure exchange of information among prescription drug monitoring programs, provided that there is an agreement in place with the other state or entity to ensure that the information is used or disseminated pursuant to the requirements of this state

5/26/15 – SB 31 is now Chapter 0048

SB 67: This bill establishes a commission to study opioid misuse and substance abuse and treatment in New Hampshire. The commission’s study shall include, but not be limited to, ways to support patient access to and use of appropriate pain treatments, treatment of substance abuse and addiction to opioids and other drugs, including non-opioid and abuse deterrent formulation opioid therapies. The commission shall also make recommendation on enhanced penalties for persons convicted of drug dealing and distribution. The commission shall also consider and review prescription drug use and abuse in the workers’ compensation system and consider mandatory drug testing after continual use of an opioid drug if used for more than 90 days. The commission shall also consider requiring that anyone on long-term use of opioids enter into an opioid treatment agreement with the prescribing health care provider.

5/19/15 – Hearing Scheduled for 10:30 am LOB 205

New Jersey

S2366: This bill requires health care practitioners to inform patients of addiction potential of controlled dangerous substances prior to issuing prescription (Similar Bills: A3712).

1/12/15 – Re-referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee

S2378: This bill extends the "Overdose Prevention Act" immunity provisions to certain health care practitioners and professional entities, and permits needle exchange programs to obtain standing order for opioid antidote dispensation. The bill requires any professional or professional entity who is dispensing opioid antidotes to patients to provide these patients with overdose prevention information (Similar bill: A3720).

2/5/15 – S2378 is now P.L.2015, c.10.

S1998: This bill amends the New Jersey Prescription Monitoring Program to allow, among other provisions, a practitioner or other person who is authorized by a practitioner to access prescription monitoring information to access prescription monitoring information the first time prescribing a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance to a new patient for acute or chronic pain. In addition, any prescription

7/18/15 – S1998 is now P.L.2015, c.74.

of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance for a new or current patient for acute or chronic pain, a practitioner or other authorized person shall access prescription monitoring information on a quarterly basis during the period of time the patient continues to receive such prescriptions. Pharmacists must first access the prescription monitoring information before dispensing a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (Similar Bills: A3062).

A1950: This bill revises requirements for licensure and creates physician-delegated scope of practice for physician assistants (Similar Bills: S1184).

12/17/15 – Assembly Floor Amendment Passed

A4279: This bill aims to regulate pharmacy benefits management companies (Similar Bills: S523).

3/16/15 – Referred to Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee

A4271: This bill mandates health benefits coverage for opioid analgesics with abuse-deterrent properties (Similar Bills: S3036)

12/21/15 – Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

New Mexico

SB 422: This bill, among other provisions, establishes requirements on licensing boards and health care practitioners regarding pain management. The bill changes the name of the Prescription Drug Misuse and Overdose Prevention and Pain Management Advisory Council. It also provides for confidential peer review of opioid prescribers and penalties for unauthorized disclosure, making consent to peer review of opioid prescribing practices a condition of licensure.

4/18/15 – Action Postponed Indefinitely

HM 98: This bill requests that the Department of Health to collaborate with the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Pain Center to design a survey of chronic pain patients to ascertain their needs in an effort to reduce overdose deaths from prescription drugs.

3/20/15 – Passed the House. Signed

SB 24: This bill makes an appropriation to the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico to support the Pain Management Center at the University of New Mexico.

4/18/15 – Action Postponed Indefinitely

SM 88: This bill requests the Workforce Solutions Department to study discrimination and barriers faced by medical cannabis patients in New Mexico and offer policy recommendations to ensure that medical cannabis patients' rights are protected.

4/18/15 – Action Postponed Indefinitely

New York

A 661: This bill relates to prescribing an opioid antagonist with a patient's first opioid analgesic prescription each year.

1/7/15 – Referred to Health

A 881: This bill relates to the distribution of educational materials regarding the misuse of and addiction to prescription drugs.

1/8/15 – Referred to Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

A 2962: This bill amends the criminal procedure law, the civil practice law and rules and the executive law, in relation to the possession of opioid antagonists.

6/1/15 – Delivered to Senate. Referred to Codes

A 7427: This bill provides for the substitution of opioid drugs incorporating abuse-deterrent technology for opioid drugs under certain circumstances.

6/24/15 – Passed Senate. Returned to Assembly

A 7812: This bill requires that for the first opioid analgesic prescription of a calendar year the prescribing physician shall counsel the patient on the risks of overdose and inform the patient of the availability of an opioid antagonist, including, but not limited to, naloxone.

5/27/15 – Referred to Health

S 668: This bill requires insurance companies to provide coverage for opioid-addiction treatment medications.

1/7/15 – Referred to Insurance

S 3507: This bill authorizes physician assistants under the supervision of a physician to perform most medical services that a physician can perform.

2/11/15 – Referred to Health

S 5170: This bill provides for the substitution of opioid drugs incorporating abuse-deterrent technology for opioid drugs under certain circumstances.

6/24/15 – Passed Senate. Returned to Assembly

A 1671: This bill establishes standards to advance the management and treatment of chronic pain; incorporates continuing education programs for health care professionals who treat patients that have chronic pain. (Similar bill: S 1939)

1/12/215 – Referred to Higher Education

A 2972: This bill requires clinical education in pain management; requires every physician, physician assistant and specialist assistant practicing in the state to complete course work and training regarding pain management every four years; further establishes an advisory committee on pain management education.

1/20/15 – Referred to Health

S 4348: This bill authorizes the commissioner of health to establish standards, and review and implement requirements for the performance of continuing medical education on pain management, palliative care and addiction. (Similar bill: A 355)

6/25/15 – Passed Senate. Returned to Assembly. Referred to Health

S 5939: This bill requires health care providers to complete continuing education on pain management, palliative care and addiction prior to renewing their registration to practice. (Similar bill: A 8302)

6/17/15 – Passed Senate. Delivered to Assembly. Referred to Health

A 6336: This bill requires baseline and periodic and/or targeting drug testing to be utilized by clinicians prescribing prescription narcotic drugs.

3/20/15 – Referred to Health

A 8317: This bill makes provisions concerning the possession and use of cannabis oil.

6/23/15 - Referred to Health

North Carolina

HB 744: This bill requires that a health benefit plan provide coverage for abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drugs at the same payment and prior authorization requirements as an opioid analgesic drug that does not have abuse-deterrent properties

4/20/15 – Re-referred to Cmte On Insurance

SB 154: This bill, among other provisions, clarifies the “Good Samaritan Law,” especially with regards to the limited immunity from prosecution for certain drug- or alcohol-related offenses committed by an individual experiencing a drug- or alcohol-related overdose and an individual who seeks medical assistance for an individual experiencing a drug- or alcohol-related overdose.

6/19/15 – SB 154 is now Ch. SL 2015-94

SB 317: This bill makes provisions with the aim to strengthen controlled substance monitoring (Similar Bills: HB 165).

3/24/15 – Re-referred to Health Care. If fav, re-ref to Judiciary I

HB195: This bill amends the North Carolina pharmacy practice act to allow for the substitution of an interchangeable biological product. Among other provisions, the bill specifies that within a reasonable time following the dispensing of a biological product, the pharmacist or a designee shall communicate to the prescriber the product name and manufacturer of the specific biological product dispensed to the patient (Similar Bills: S197)

5/21/15 – HB195 is now Ch. SL 2015-27

HB 97: This bill establishes regulations with regards to the use of funds appropriated (in this act) to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, for the 2015-2016 fiscal year for the purchase of opioid antagonists (Similar Bills: SB 377).

9/18/15 – House Ordered Enrolled

North Dakota

SB 2104: This bill creates and enacts a new section to chapter 23‑ 01 and a new subsection to section 43‑ 15‑ 10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to immunity from liability related to opioid antagonists and limited prescriptive authority for Naloxone rescue kits.

4/8/15 – Signed by Governor

HB 1149: This bill amends and re-enacts sections 19‑ 03.5‑ 09 and 19‑ 03.5‑ 10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to adoption of administrative rules governing use of the prescription drug monitoring program.

3/30/15 – Signed by Governor. Filed with Secretary Of State (3/26/15)

Ohio

HB 4: This bill amends sections of the Revised Code to modify the laws governing the authority to dispense or furnish naloxone for opioid overdoses, to establish standards for certain opioid treatment programs, and to declare an emergency.

6/24/15 – Accept Standing Committee Report

HB 248: This bill amends sections of the Revised Code to prohibit certain health care plans and the Medicaid program from denying coverage for opioid analgesic drugs with abuse deterrent technology based solely on cost.

6/11/15 – Referred to Committee

HB 250: This bill amends sections of the Revised Code regarding Medicaid pharmacy utilization management programs and prior authorization requirements for certain opioids.

6/11/15 – Referred to Committee

HCR 16: This bill encourages the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to revise survey measures included in the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems that relate to patient pain management.

6/24/15 – House Accepts Standing Committee Report Health and Aging

Oklahoma

HB 1388: This bill defines terms and provides for codification concerning opioid prescription drugs. (Similar Bill: SB 496)

3/18/15 – Passed House Second Reading. Referred to Health and Human Services

SB 661: This bill requires that a health benefit plan provide coverage for abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drugs as the preferred drugs on the formulary, preferred drug list or other lists of similar construct, at the same payment and prior authorization requirements as an opioid analgesic drug that does not have abuse-deterrent properties.

2/3/15 – Second Reading. Referred to Insurance Committee then to Appropriations Committee

SB 737: This bill makes provisions relating to prescriptions for opioid analgesic drug products by providing definitions and codifications, prohibiting the issuance of certain drugs covered by the Oklahoma Medicaid Program, requiring use of certain drug products in certain circumstances, requiring certain standards for substitution.

2/4/15 – Second Reading. Referred to Health and Human Services

HB 1616: This bill, among other provisions, requires the State Medical Examiner to report all deaths relating to the abuse of a controlled substance to the Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision and to the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners. The measure provides that it is a crime to knowingly failing to disclose the receipt of a controlled dangerous substance from another practitioner within the previous thirty days.

5/12/15 – Approved by Governor

Oregon

SB 661: This bill requires health benefit plans that cover opioid analgesic drug products to cover abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug products, at no greater cost to insured than other preferred drugs under plan, and specifies other requirements regarding coverage.

7/6/15 – In Committee Upon Adjournment

SB 71: This bill provides that pharmacies shall electronically report to Oregon Health Authority information under prescription monitoring program no later than 72 hours after dispensing prescription drug.

6/24/15 – SB 71 is now Chapter 481, 2015 Laws

Pennsylvania NONE

Puerto Rico

PS 1445: This bill creates the “Law for the Prevention of Opiate Overdose Deaths in Puerto Rico," in order to establish certain protections for people suffering from an overdose, those requesting emergency medical assistance to another suffering from overdose, and for the use of naloxone by persons other than health professionals. This bill establishes requirements to create a program for the prevention of opiate overdoses and certain protections for naloxone recipes and clinics.

9/8/15 – Passed Senate. First Reading in the House

Rhode Island

HB 5219: This bill requires policies and plans issued by health insurers to cover abuse- deterrent drug formulations of opioid analgesics in the same manner in which the policies and plans cover non-abuse deterrent drugs formations. (Similar bill: SB 167)

6/25/15 – Passed Senate. Scheduled for Consideration in House

SR 1012: This bill requests that the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Director of the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals include Rhode Island Best Practices In Medicaid Reform Efforts for Opioid Treatment Programs.

6/23/15 – Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

South Carolina

H 3083: This bill enacts the “South Carolina Overdose Prevention Act” to allow certain medical professionals to prescribe opioid antidotes for individuals who the medical professional believes in good faith are at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose. Requires medical professionals to provide instructional information to a

6/3/15 – Governor Signed

person to whom the medical professional prescribes an opioid antidote. Also allows pharmacists to dispense opioid antidotes pursuant to a prescription and allows caregivers and first responders to administer opioid antidotes to individuals who the caregiver or first responder believes in good faith are at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose. Prescribers can prescribe standing orders for opioid antidotes to first responders and for first responders to possess these opioid antidotes and provides protections from civil and criminal liability for prescribing, dispensing, or administering opioid antidotes, and for other purposes.

H 4004: This bill allows the medical use of low-thc cannabis by certain individuals with certain medical conditions and grants physicians the authority to order low-thc cannabis for medical use by a patient under certain circumstances. Requires creation of a compassionate use registry to facilitate. (Similar bill: H 4003)

4/16/15 – Introduced. Read First Time. Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs

H 4037: This bill enacts the “South Carolina Medical Marijuana Program Act" authorizing the palliative use of marijuana by certain individuals with certain diseases and medical conditions. (Similar bills: S 672)

4/22/15 – Introduced. Read First Time. Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs

South Dakota

SB 14: This bill provides for the possession and administration of opioid antagonists by first responders for the treatment of drug overdoses.

2/18/15 – Governor Signed

Tennessee

HB 403: This bill enacts the "Opioid Abuse Reduction Act," which requires the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to convene a working group to examine the problem of opioid abuse in this state. (Similar Bill: SB 570)

5/18/15 – HB 403 is now Pub. Ch. 389

HB 746: This bill requires all health insurance coverage to provide coverage for abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drugs at the same price as other opioid analgesic drugs. (Similar bill: SB 601)

2/19/15 – Assigned to S/C Insurance and Banking Subcommittee

HB 25: This bill adds "dry needling" to the practice of physical therapy. This bill requires the board of physical therapy to establish minimum competency requirements that a physical therapist must demonstrate in order to practice dry needling. (Similar bills: SB 385)

4/20/15 – HB 25 is now Pub. Ch. 124

HB 561: This bill enacts the "Medical Cannabis Access Act," which decriminalizes the use of medical cannabis by a qualifying patient who is enrolled in the safe access program established by this bill. (Similar bill: SB 660)

3/24/15 – Deferred to Summer Study

HB 1157: This bill revises requirements for medical directors and others participating in the operation of a pain management clinic, revises provisions regarding the development of recommended treatment guidelines for prescribing controlled substances, and requires the development of recommended pain clinic standards. (Similar bills: SB 1266)

5/26/15 – HB 1157 is now Pub. Ch. 475

Texas

HB 225: This bill amends the Health and Safety Code to establish a defense to prosecution for certain drug-related offenses if the actor sought emergency medical assistance in response to another's possible overdose or was the victim of a possible overdose for which assistance was requested. The bill provides for the prescription, distribution, possession, and administration of an opioid antagonist and for certain related grants.

6/1/15 – Vetoed by the Governor

HB 2149: This bill makes provisions relating to the prescription, administration, and possession of certain opioid antagonists for the treatment of suspected opioid overdoses, training about opioid antagonists and drug overdoses, and grants for related programs.

3/12/15 – Read First Time

HB 2505: This bill requires that a health benefit plan provide coverage for abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drugs at the same payment and prior authorization requirements as an opioid analgesic drug that does not have abuse-deterrent properties. (Similar Bills: SB 1094)

5/11/15 – Passed House. Referred to Business & Commerce

HB 2690: This bill makes provisions relating to the prevention of overdose deaths by providing a defense for prosecution for certain offenses involving the delivery or

3/16/15 – Referred to Public Health

possession of controlled substances and other prohibited drugs, substances, or paraphernalia for certain persons who seek medical attention for a suspected opioid overdose, and the prescription, administration, and possession of certain opioid antagonists for the treatment of suspected opioid overdoses

SB 1462: This bill amends the Health and Safety Code to provide for the prescription, distribution, administration, and possession of an opioid antagonist for the treatment of an opioid-related drug overdose. The bill establishes limitations on liability and disciplinary sanctions for certain acts and omissions relating to an opioid antagonist. (Similar Bill: HB 1098)

6/18/15 – Signed by the Governor

SB 1235: This bill amends the Occupations Code to subject a violation of pain management clinic regulations to criminal prosecution in the same manner as a violation involving the unlawful practice of medicine and to clarify the individuals considered to be an operator of a pain management clinic, including those engaged in supervision or delegation activities related to the clinic.

6/15/15 – Signed by the Governor

HB 628: This bill requires pharmacist to shall honor a valid prescription drug order written by a practitioner licensed by the State of Texas, including a prescription drug order for a controlled substance or dangerous drug (shall not alter a pharmacist’s right to conscientiously object to the filling of any prescription drug order).

2/19/15 – Referred to Public Health

HB 2602: This bill makes establishes rules relating to the physicians authorizations to delegate, especially with regards to prescribing and ordering of Schedule II controlled substances by certain advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants. (Similar bill: HB 3632)

4/28/15 – Reported Favorably as Substituted. Committee Report Distributed (5/5/15)

SB 195: This bill, among other provisions, changes the entity with which a person must register to manufacture, distribute, analyze, or dispense a controlled substance from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration and provides for the transfer of the regulation of the official prescription program from DPS to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. The bill revises the persons who may access certain official prescription information submitted to the board, provides for DPS’s unrestricted access to that information, and establishes requirements for the imposition of fees used to fund the official prescription program by the board or a state agency that licenses prescribers or dispensers of controlled substances.

6/20/15 – Signed by the Governor

SB 751: This bill makes provisions relating to the scope of practice of and the prescribing and ordering authority of advanced practice registered nurses.

3/2/15 – Read First Time

Utah

SB 265: This bill defines terms, requires the Public Employees' Benefit and Insurance Program to study the barriers to and efficacy of use of abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug products, and report to the Business and Labor Interim Committee and the Health and Human Services Interim Committee.

3/31/15 – Governor Signed

Virginia

HB 1458: This bill provides that a pharmacist may dispense naloxone or other opioid antagonist, and that a person may possess and administer these drugs to assist an individual at risk for or experiencing an overdose to prescription drugs. In addition, firefighters and law-enforcement officers who have completed a training program may possess and administer naloxone in accordance with protocols developed by the Board of Pharmacy in consultation with the Board of Medicine and the Department of Health. A person who in good faith prescribes, dispenses, or administers naloxone or other opioid antagonist used for overdose reversal in an emergency shall not be liable for any civil damages if acting in accordance with the provisions or in his role as a member of an emergency medical services agency. (Similar Bills: HB 1833 and SB 1186)

4/15/15 – HB 1458 is now Chapter 725

HB 1732: This bill provides that a dispenser may dispense naloxone or any other opioid antagonists pursuant to a written order or standing protocol of the Health Commissioner to a person for administration in an emergency, and that a person

2/4/15 – Stricken from Docket by Courts of Justice by Voice Vote

may possess and administer naloxone or any other opioid antagonists to a person who is experiencing or is about to experience a life-threatening opiate overdose, provided such person has received appropriate training. Law-enforcement officers and firefighters may possess and administer naloxone or any other opioid antagonists.

HJ 630: This bill directs the Health Insurance Reform Commission to study mandating health insurance coverage for abuse deterrent formulations for opioid medications.

2/25/15 – Bill Text as Passed House and Senate

HB 1841: This bill requires the Department of Health Professions to register every dispenser licensed by the Board of Pharmacy with the Prescription Monitoring Program. The bill also limits the requirement that a prescriber who prescribes benzodiazepine or an opiate request information from the Director of the Department of Health Professions to determine what other covered substances are currently prescribed to a patient in cases in which the course of treatment is anticipated at the onset of treatment to last more than 90 days.

3/23/15 – HB 1841 is now Chapter 517

HB 2136: This bill requires a prescriber, under certain circumstances, to consult with the Director of the Department of Health Professions to determine what, if any, other covered substances are currently being prescribed to the patient.

2/11/15 – Left in Health, Welfare and Institutions

SB 207: This bill requires licensed providers of treatment for persons with opiate addiction through the use of methadone or other opioid replacements to comply with the reporting requirements of the Prescription Monitoring Program.

1/23/14 – Stricken at the Request of Patron in Education and Health

SB 294: This bill requires prescribers to be registered with the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) by the Department of Health Professions upon filing an application for licensure or renewal of a license, if the prescriber has not already registered. The bill requires prescribers to consult the Director of the Department of Health Professions to determine what, if any, other covered substances are currently being prescribed to any patient for whom the prescriber is initiating a new course of treatment that includes the prescribing of benzodiazepine or an opiate under certain circumstances. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to identify and publish a list of benzodiazepines or opiates that have a low potential for abuse by human patients, the prescription of which shall not require the prescriber to request and obtain information from the PMP. (Similar Bill: HB 1249 )

3/5/14 – SB 294 is now Chapter 178

HB 2358: This bill includes a requirement for continuing education for prescribers on substance abuse, addiction, and other related pain management and prescribing practices.

2/11/15 – Left in Health, Welfare, and Institutions

Vermont

H 45: This bill proposes to require opioid treatment programs authorized by the Department of Health to report to the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System when methadone or medication containing buprenorphine is first dispensed to a patient or when the patient’s prescription is altered.

1/22/15 – Read First Time. Referred to the Committee on Human Services

S 59: This bill proposes to require health insurance plans to cover abuse-deterrent formulations of pain relieving medications as preferred drugs on their prescription drug formularies.

2/24/15 – Read First Time. Referred to Committee on Health & Welfare

H 209: This bill proposes to specify that the patient’s bill of rights for palliative care and pain management does not impose on physicians an affirmative duty to offer information that has not been requested by a patient regarding patient choices at the end of life.

2/12/15 – Read First Time. Referred to the Committee on Human Services

Washington

HB 1671: This bill, among other provisions, establishes provisions for the prescribing, dispensing, and administering of an opioid overdose medication by physicians, pharmacists, and citizens who may need to assist an individual at risk for or experiencing an overdose to prescription drugs. Civil and criminal liability is established for any of the individuals acting in good faith and with reasonable care.

5/8/15 – Governor Signed. Effective 7/24/15

SB 5695: This bill requires that all health plans that include coverage for prescription drugs must provide coverage for abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drugs as the preferred drugs on their formulary, preferred drug list, or other lists of similar construct, with the same payment and prior authorization requirements as an opioid analgesic drug that does not have abuse-deterrent properties.

(2015 3RD SPECIAL SESSION) 6/28/15 – By Resolution, Reintroduced and Retained in Present Status.

HB 1103: This bill allows test sites and personnel of test sites that meet the standards established in the rule to receive access to data in the prescription-monitoring program. Qualified test sites may not store data accessed from the prescription drug-monitoring database in any form. Data may be used only to transmit to the entities established by this rule.

6/28/15 – By Resolution, Reintroduced and Retained in Present Status

SB 5027: This bill, among other provisions, authorizes the Department of Health to provide data in the prescription-monitoring program to the personnel in certain test sites.

5/14/15 Governor Signed

West Virginia

HB 2293: This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Resources to promulgate a legislative rule relating to chronic pain management clinic licensure. (Similar Bill: SB 171)

1/30/15 – To House Judiciary

SB 28: This bill requires health insurance coverage for certain nonnarcotic pain relief systems.

1/14/15 – To Health and Human Resources

SB 270: This bill increases from 50% to 60% the number of patients treated with controlled substances to control chronic pain to be designated a pain management clinic.

1/21/15 – To Health and Human Resources

HB 2961: This bill provides expanded access to opioid analgesics with abuse-deterrent properties.

2/27/15 – Do Pass, with Amendment, First to Judiciary

HCR 128: This bill requests that the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the need for the health insurance policies to provide adequate coverage to encourage adoption of abuse deterrent formulation technologies for opioids in order to assist in the state's continuing efforts to eliminate prescription drug abuse

3/14/15 – Passed House now in Rules

Wisconsin NONE

Wyoming

SF 100: This bill amends the prescription drug tracking program to provided that all prescriptions for schedule II, III and IV controlled substances dispensed by any retail pharmacy must be reported to the Board of Pharmacy no later than the close of business on the business day immediately following the day the controlled substance was dispensed. Allows the Board of Pharmacy to not only release information to practitioners and pharmacists, but to their appointed delegates when the release of the information may be of assistance in preventing or avoiding inappropriate use of controlled substances.

3/6/15 – Governor Signed

HB 78: This bill allows supervised use of plant derived pain medication as specified, providing an exemption from prosecution for possession or use of plant derived pain medication as specified. ( Similar Bills: HB 227)

3/3/15 – Do Pass Failed in Accordance with House Rule