HB 159 Summary

• Establishes maximum opioid prescription limits: 7-day supply for initial prescriptions to adults (4 days for optometrists), with exceptions for chronic pain, cancer pain, palliative care, and access barriers; requires parent/guardian discussion for minors

• Requires continuing education in pain management and opioid use and addiction (minimum 2 hours in 2 years) for license renewal of dentists, physicians, osteopaths, podiatrists, nurses, and optometrists who hold DEA registration numbers

• Creates voluntary nonopioid directive allowing individuals and parents/guardians to request that opioids not be prescribed or administered, with liability protections for health care providers who respect such directives

• Modifies controlled substance prescription database requirements to include daily (instead of weekly) reporting and expands practitioner registration requirements to include dentists, nurses, optometrists, and veterinarians with DEA numbers

• Amends definition of "practitioner" to include advanced practice registered nurses and optometrists; repeals prior opioid-related provisions from 2016 legislation