H.B. No. 497 Summary

• Establishes a statewide pilot program beginning July 1, 2017, providing long-acting opioid antagonist therapy (naltrexone or similar) to eligible offenders convicted of opioid-related offenses during confinement and supervised release through December 31, 2019, with possible extension to June 30, 2022.

• Defines eligible offenders as those in state or local correctional facilities sentenced for felony opioid-related offenses, or those in local facilities sentenced for at least 30 days for misdemeanor opioid-related offenses who will be released on supervised release.

• Requires sentencing courts to indicate in the record if an offense relates to or was committed as a result of the offender's addiction to an opiate or opioid, and mandates facility officials inform eligible offenders of the program and offer participation prior to release.

• Requires participating offenders to receive treatment for at least 30 days before release at state expense, then obtain continued therapy through Medicaid or other health insurance via local boards of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services after release.

• Requires the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to evaluate the program and report findings by January 1, 2019; program terminates unless extended by the General Assembly by July 1, 2019.