By: Uresti S.B. No. 316
(S. Davis of Harris)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to continuing education for pharmacists regarding drug
abuse and opioid drugs and an interim study regarding opioid abuse.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 559, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 559.0525 to read as follows:
Sec. 559.0525. CONTINUING EDUCATION RELATING TO OPIOID
DRUGS. (a) The board shall develop a continuing education program
regarding opioid drug abuse and the delivery, dispensing, and
provision of tamper-resistant opioid drugs after considering input
from interested persons.
(b) The board by rule may require a license holder to
satisfy a number of the continuing education hours required by
Section 559.053 through attendance of a program developed under
this section.
SECTION 2. (a) The standing committee of the senate that
has primary jurisdiction over health and human services shall
conduct an interim study regarding opioid abuse and the provision
of tamper-resistant opioids.
(b) The committee may establish appropriate criteria for
the study to accomplish the study's purpose. The study must include
an examination of:
(1) matters relating to prescription opioid abuse; and
(2) the use and effectiveness of tamper-resistant
opioids.
(c) Not later than December 1, 2014, the committee shall
submit a report of the committee's findings and recommendations to
the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of
representatives for consideration by the 84th Legislature. The
committee shall include in its report the results of the study
conducted under this section and the committee's recommendations
for specific statutory changes, if any.
(d) This section expires September 1, 2015.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.