HB 242 Summary

• Requires dentists, physicians, nurses, optometrists, podiatrists, osteopaths, and veterinarians with DEA registration to register with the controlled substance prescription database and establish opioid prescription dosage standards based on morphine milligram equivalents.

• Mandates that dentists, physicians, nurses, and advanced practice nurses complete at least 2 hours of education in pain management and opioid use and addiction every 2 years for license renewal if they hold a valid DEA registration.

• Requires pharmacists to confirm that prescribing practitioners reviewed patient prescription records in the controlled substance database before dispensing Schedule II, III, or IV opioids.

• Expands the controlled substance prescription database to track practitioners who fail to review the database before prescribing controlled substances and requires the board to issue at least annual reports comparing individual practitioners' opioid prescribing practices with peers of the same occupation and specialty.

• Directs the state medical examiner to report overdose deaths caused by Schedule II, III, or IV controlled substances to the Board of Pharmacy, and requires the board to notify relevant practitioners and their licensing boards within 3 months of such deaths.