CS for Senate Bill No. 79(HSS) - Summary

• Restricts initial opioid prescriptions to seven-day supply for adults and minors, with exceptions for chronic pain, cancer pain, palliative care, substance abuse treatment, and logistical barriers; requires documentation of medical necessity when exceeding limits.

• Requires health care professionals (dentists, physicians, nurses, optometrists, podiatrists, osteopaths, veterinarians) to complete at least two hours of continuing education in pain management and opioid use and addiction for license renewal, unless they lack DEA registration.

• Establishes the Voluntary Nonopioid Directive Act allowing individuals 18+ to opt out of opioid prescriptions; protects health care providers and pharmacists from liability for following such directives or inadvertently administering opioids.

• Updates controlled substance prescription database requirements including daily submission of opioid prescription data (instead of weekly) and allows Board of Pharmacy to issue periodic comparison reports to practitioners regarding their prescribing practices.

• Amends professional licensing standards across multiple health professions to include opioid-related disciplinary grounds and requires practitioners with DEA registration to register with the controlled substance prescription database.