Bill
Bill > A1593
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill establishes protocols for prescribing and dispensing benzodiazepine. Under the bill, the Department of Health (department) is to: establish protocols for practitioners to follow including a slow, patient controlled tapering and encouraging the use of the Ashton manual to safely discontinue patients' use of benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines hypnotics to minimize patients' symptoms of withdrawal, and permitting patients with long-term use of benzodiazepines, who are dependent on the medication, to remain on the medication or to safely taper at a rate that is determined by the patient's symptoms; produce and distribute in written or electronic form to pharmacies and practitioners to distribute to patients, a cautionary pamphlet for consumers regarding benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics on: (1) misuse and abuse by adults and children; (2) risk of dependency and addiction; (3) proper storage and disposal; and (4) addiction support and treatment resources. The department is to prohibit one benzodiazepine or one non-benzodiazepine hypnotic prescription to exceed four weeks unless there is a proven medical need, medical exception, or both. The department is to prohibit a practitioner or pharmacist from prescribing or dispensing a benzodiazepine or a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic unless pharmacist and practitioner furnishes the patient with the pamphlet provided for in this bill and collects the patient's signed consent form. Further, the department is to require bold lettering labels on benzodiazepine or non-benzodiazepine hypnotic prescriptions to alert patients to the risk of dependence, addiction, or both. The provisions of this bill do not apply to pharmacists who dispense medication to patients in long-term care facilities or practitioners who treat patients in long-term care facilities.
AI Summary
This bill establishes protocols for prescribing and dispensing benzodiazepines, which are drugs used to treat conditions like insomnia, anxiety, and seizures, and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, which are similar drugs primarily for insomnia. The Department of Health will create guidelines for doctors to help patients safely reduce their use of these medications, suggesting methods like slow, patient-controlled tapering and referencing the Ashton manual to minimize withdrawal symptoms, while allowing long-term users to stay on their medication or taper at their own pace based on their symptoms. The department will also produce and distribute a pamphlet to pharmacies and doctors for patients, detailing the risks of misuse, abuse, dependency, and addiction, along with proper storage, disposal, and treatment resources. Prescriptions for these medications will generally be limited to four weeks unless there's a documented medical need. Before prescribing or dispensing, doctors and pharmacists must provide patients with this pamphlet and obtain their signed consent. Additionally, prescriptions will feature bold labels warning of dependence and addiction risks. These rules do not apply to pharmacists or practitioners serving patients in long-term care facilities.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1593 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2000/1593_I1.HTM |
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