Bill > S0428

This bill expands the categories of individuals who can prescribe brand-name drugs when medically necessary under the state employees' prescription drug program, allowing advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNP) and physician assistants (PA) to be included alongside physicians. It also exempts controlled substances prescribed by ARNPs or PAs from disqualifications for deputy pilot or state pilot certification or licensure, ensuring that proper medical treatment does not negatively impact these professional certifications. Furthermore, the bill clarifies and applies existing penalties for violations related to the prescribing or dispensing of controlled substances by ARNPs, aligning them with those for physicians, and modifies regulations concerning physician assistants' (PA) prescribing authority, including specific continuing education requirements for prescribing controlled substances and adjustments to the formulary of drugs PAs cannot prescribe, such as limiting Schedule II controlled substances to a 7-day supply and restricting psychiatric mental health controlled substances for minors. The bill also updates definitions and requirements for controlled substance prescribing, expanding the scope of "registrant" to include ARNPs and PAs, and modifies rules regarding physician supervision and established protocols for ARNPs and PAs.