HB 687 - Medical Gas Summary

• Creates new Part III of Chapter 499 to regulate medical gas distribution, manufacturing, and retail sales with specific permit categories: wholesale distributor, manufacturer, and oxygen retail establishment.

• Establishes permitting requirements, fees ($200-$500 annually depending on permit type), application procedures, and renewal processes administered by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

• Sets minimum standards for medical gas storage, handling, security, inspection of containers upon receipt, examination of outgoing shipments, and maintenance of transactional records with 2-3 year retention periods.

• Prohibits numerous acts including sale of adulterated or misbranded medical gas, purchase from unauthorized distributors, failure to maintain records, and distribution to unauthorized recipients; establishes felony penalties for criminal violations.

• Takes effect October 1, 2014 and makes conforming changes to existing drug and cosmetic laws and other regulatory provisions.