Bill > S2020

This bill aims to enhance substance use prevention and treatment by implementing several key provisions. It mandates training for law enforcement officers on responding to drug overdoses and the proper application of relevant laws, and requires the state to compile and share resources on these topics. The bill also directs the creation and distribution of a list of non-opioid pain management alternatives approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to healthcare providers. Furthermore, it introduces mandatory verbal substance use disorder screenings for students in grades 7 and 10, with provisions for parental consent and opt-out options, and ensures the confidentiality of information shared during these screenings. The bill also establishes new regulations for prescribing opioids, including requirements for practitioners to assess patient risk, utilize prescription drug monitoring programs, and enter into pain management agreements for long-term use. A voluntary "non-opiate directive" form will be created, allowing individuals to refuse opiate prescriptions, and its use will be integrated into electronic health records and prescription drug monitoring programs. Additionally, the bill introduces a drug stewardship program, requiring pharmaceutical manufacturers to fund programs for the collection, secure transport, and safe disposal of unwanted drugs, and establishes a Prescription Drug Awareness Trust Fund to support public and professional education on prescription drug abuse. It also creates a rehabilitation program for pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and technicians struggling with substance use disorders, and mandates that insurance policies provide coverage for pain management services that offer alternatives to opioid prescribing, along with reasonable controls on opioid prescriptions. Finally, the bill calls for a study on the feasibility of similar rehabilitation programs for other health professionals and the development of a universal intake form for behavioral health and substance use disorder patients.