CS/CS/HB 1253 - Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

• Department of Health must develop a unique identifier for each patient in the prescription drug monitoring program that cannot identify patients to unauthorized individuals.

• Attorney General may request patient information for active investigations or pending civil or criminal litigation involving prescribed controlled substances upon court order granting a petition or motion.

• When information is released to the Attorney General, the department may only provide the patient's unique identifier, year of birth, and county/city/zip code of residence, consistent with HIPAA requirements.

• Attorney General may introduce information from the system as evidence in civil, criminal, or administrative actions against dispensers, manufacturers, or pharmacies, with program staff able to testify to authenticate records.

• Amendments automatically expire June 30, 2021, unless reenacted by the Legislature; effective date is July 1, 2019.