Connecticut Senate Bill SB00427

Connecticut 2012 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/14/12
• Refer: 3/14/12
• Report Pass: 3/29/12
• Refer: 4/10/12
• Report Pass: 4/17/12
• Refer: 5/1/12
• Report Pass: 5/2/12
• Refer: 5/3/12
• Report Pass: 5/7/12
• Engrossed: 5/9/12
• Report Pass: 5/9/12

Caption

An Act Concerning The Membership Of The Commission Of Pharmacy And Validating A Referendum.

Impact

The bill, if enacted, will have significant implications for state laws regarding pharmacy regulations. By expanding the commission’s membership and specifying representation from various practice settings, the bill aims to enhance the effectiveness of the commission in addressing current pharmacy issues. Moreover, it is set to validate a previously questionable referendum in East Hartford, which approved a seven-million-dollar appropriation for flood control system improvements despite procedural errors in notification. This validation seeks to ensure that prior actions taken based on the referendum remain effective and lawful.

Summary

Substitute Bill No. 427 aims to modify the structure of the Commission of Pharmacy by changing its membership from six to seven members. The new composition requires that out of the seven members, five must be pharmacists with full-time engagement in the practice of pharmacy, including representatives from both independent and chain retail settings, as well as a pharmacist working full-time in a hospital. This adjustment is intended to improve the representation within the commission while still maintaining public involvement through two public members. The bill reflects a commitment to ensuring that decisions affecting the pharmacy profession include the voices of practicing pharmacists.

Sentiment

The general sentiment around SB00427 appears to be positive, particularly among stakeholders in the pharmacy community who see the bill as a step towards a more representative and responsive governance structure in pharmacy regulation. The validation of the East Hartford referendum also demonstrates a supportive stance toward local governance, enhancing trust in government processes. However, as with all legislative measures, there may be concerns regarding the balance of representation and the effectiveness of the commission with the new structure.

Contention

While the bill generally has favorable support, notable points of contention might arise around the qualifications and selection of commission members, particularly the appointment process governed by the Governor. Stakeholders may debate the level of influence that the Governor holds in shaping the commission and whether the proposed structure sufficiently reflects the diversity of the pharmacy profession. Moreover, ensuring that the public members are truly representative of public interest is likely to be a point of discussion.