HB 6570 Summary

• Requires prescribers to electronically transmit prescriptions (including controlled substances) to pharmacies of patient choice starting January 1, 2020, with specific exemptions for veterinarians, technology failures, waivers, and certain health care settings.

• Establishes electronic transmission requirements including prescriber contact information, patient name, electronic signature, transmission time/date, pharmacy identity, and HIPAA compliance with data protection safeguards.

• Permits Department to grant waivers from electronic transmission requirements for prescribers facing economic hardship, technological limitations, or exceptional circumstances, valid for up to 1 year and renewable.

• Adds violation of electronic transmission requirements (section 17754) as disciplinary ground subject to fines up to $250 per violation with aggregate cap of $5,000 per calendar year.

• Expands animal euthanasia and tranquilizer use provisions for animal shelters and class B dealers, requiring 16 hours of veterinary-approved training with compliance deadline of January 1, 2022.