Bill > S2008

This bill aims to combat the opioid crisis by implementing several key provisions: law enforcement officers will receive training on responding to drug overdoses and applying specific laws related to controlled substances; a list of non-opioid pain management alternatives will be published and distributed to healthcare professionals; patients will have the option to voluntarily record a "non-opiate directive" indicating they should not be prescribed opioids, with safeguards for overriding this directive in emergencies; schools will conduct annual substance use screenings for students in certain grades; manufacturers of certain opioid drugs will be required to establish drug stewardship programs for safe disposal of unwanted medications; physicians prescribing certain high-risk opioids will face stricter initial prescription requirements, including patient agreements and use of prescription monitoring programs; insurance policies will be required to adjust cost-sharing for patients who request lesser quantities of opioid prescriptions; and a special commission will study the feasibility of a program to increase access to non-opiate pain management services.