SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2014 SESSION

14102725D
SENATE BILL NO. 294
Offered January 8, 2014
Prefiled January 6, 2014
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-2522.1, relating to the Prescription Monitoring Program; requirements of prescribers.
----------
Patrons-- Puckett and McWaters
----------
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 54.1-2522.1 as follows:

§ 54.1-2522.1. Requirements of prescribers.

A. Any prescriber who is licensed in the Commonwealth and is authorized pursuant to §§ 54.1-3303 and 54.1-3408 to issue a prescription for a covered substance shall register with the Prescription Monitoring Program no later than January 1, 2015. After January 1, 2015, such prescribers shall register within 30 days of receiving notification of licensure.

B. Prescribers required to register pursuant to subsection A shall, prior to prescribing benzodiazepine or an opiate to a human patient as a new course of treatment lasting more than 30 days and at least once annually if such prescription remains part of the treatment, request information from the Director for the purpose of establishing a treatment history for the patient or prospective patient unless (i) the patient is currently receiving hospice care; (ii) the prescription is non-refillable and is part of treatment for a surgical procedure that occurred in a licensed health care facility; (iii) the prescription is non-refillable and the quantity does not exceed the amount that is adequate for a single seven-day treatment period; or (iv) the prescription is a part of treatment in a medical specialty that has been identified by the Secretary of Health and Human Resources as having low potential for abuse by patients.

2. That the Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall identify and publish a list of medical specialties that have a low potential for abuse by patients.