HSB 520 (LSB 5451YC (3) 87)

HOUSE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY BILL BY CHAIRPERSON BAUDLER)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the issuance of prescriptions for an opiate that is a schedule II controlled substance and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 124.308, Code 2018, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  7.  a.  A practitioner shall not issue a prescription for more than a seven-day supply of an opiate that is a schedule II controlled substance.
   b.  This subsection shall not apply to any of the following:
   (1)  A prescription issued to a patient suffering from chronic pain diagnosed by a practitioner.
   (2)  A prescription issued to a patient receiving services from a hospice program as defined in section 135J.1.
   (3)  A prescription issued to a patient receiving inpatient hospital care.
   (4)  A prescription issued to a patient receiving inpatient care in a nursing facility as defined in section 135C.1.
   (5)  A prescription issued to a patient receiving end-of-life care directed at managing symptoms associated with the final stages of illness and dying.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill prohibits practitioners from issuing prescriptions for more than a seven-day supply of an opiate that is a schedule II controlled substance. The bill makes exceptions for patients suffering from chronic pain, receiving end-of-life care, or receiving treatment in a hospice program, hospital, or nursing facility. A practitioner who dispenses an opiate that is a schedule II controlled substance in violation of the bill is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor pursuant to Code section 124.402. An aggravated misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than two years and a fine of at least $625 but not more than $6,250.