DE HB154

Adds "medication diversion" as a form of abuse, defined as knowingly interrupting, obstructing, or altering delivery of prescribed drugs to patients or residents without healthcare provider authorization, with exceptions for licensed healthcare providers and emergency responders acting in good faith.

Expands criminal penalties for abuse, mistreatment, or neglect in facilities to include a class A felony when such conduct results in death; adds new class G felony for medication diversion and class F felony when committed by a healthcare professional.

Requires continuing professional education for controlled substance prescribing, distributing, dispensing, delivery, and recognition of substance abuse impairment as a condition for registration renewal for healthcare providers and pharmacy license renewal.

Includes hospitals as defined in Title 16 §1001(2) in the definition of "facility" for purposes of abuse and neglect provisions in §1131 and §1136.

Adds new definition of "healthcare provider" and "prescription drug" to clarify scope of medication diversion provisions.