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Bill > S384


NJ S384

NJ S384
Requires correctional facilities to provide inmates with prescription medication that was prescribed for chronic conditions existing prior to incarceration.


summary

Introduced
01/12/2016
In Committee
06/02/2016
Crossed Over
06/30/2016
Passed
10/20/2016
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
12/05/2016

Introduced Session

2016-2017 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires the Commissioner of Corrections to ensure that all medications prescribed for inmates prior to incarceration for treatment of chronic conditions are continued while they are incarcerated in a State correctional facility. The bill would place similar requirements on county correctional facilities. The bill requires that medication prescribed for the treatment of chronic conditions be administered to the inmate for a minimum of 30 days from the date the inmate is committed to the custody of the department before resuming treatment in compliance with State law and regulations promulgated by the commissioner. The bill also requires the commissioner and each chief executive officer, warden, or keeper of a county correctional institution to establish a means for providing medication and treatment for chronic conditions, including establishing a screening process and a means of verifying prescriptions. Inmates would not be entitled to any medication which has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States as a matter of federal law. For example, inmates would be precluded from receiving medical marijuana while incarcerated.

AI Summary

This bill requires the Commissioner of Corrections and the chief executive officers, wardens, or keepers of county correctional institutions to ensure that inmates continue to receive medication prescribed for chronic conditions prior to their incarceration. The bill mandates that these medications be provided for at least 30 days after the inmate is committed to the facility, after which the facility can resume appropriate treatment, including generic substitutions where possible. The bill also establishes a system to ensure timely provision of necessary medications, such as by having screening staff, methods for validating prescriptions, and maintaining supplies of common medications. However, the bill exempts medications without accepted medical use in the United States, such as medical marijuana.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Justice

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

Approved P.L.2016, c.70. (on 12/05/2016)

bill text


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