S546 - Opioid Epidemic Response Act Summary

• Eliminates the state registration requirement for buprenorphine prescribers, who will only need federal registration.

• Decriminalizes possession and use of drug testing equipment to detect contaminants in controlled substances for individuals and organizations promoting health risk mitigation.

• Expands syringe exchange program objectives to include reducing drug overdoses and removes the ban on using state funds to purchase injection supplies.

• Adds gabapentin and naloxone hydrochloride to the controlled substances reporting system and requires prescribers to check the system before prescribing benzodiazepines.

• Establishes the State Opioid Treatment Authority with approval authority over opioid treatment programs, creates a SOTA Fund, and implements an annual $1,600 Central Registry fee per program beginning January 1, 2020.