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History
- Referred to alcoholism and drug abuse
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 58–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.855
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to alcoholism and drug abuse
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Requires each pharmacist dispensing an opioid to include a pamphlet with warnings relating to the risks of using such controlled substances
In Assembly Committee · Rules · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, the education law and the public health law, in relation to the dispensing and administering of opiates, opium, and the salts, compounds, derivatives and preparations thereof
Purpose
Requires the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) to create and distribute an informational card or pamphlet to be included in each opioid prescription dispensed within the state which will contain the risks associated with taking an opiate medication, the physical, behavioral and advanced warning signs of addiction; the HOPELINE telephone contact number and text number (HOPENY) and the procedures for safe disposal of drugs.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends section 19.07 of the mental hygiene law, regarding the responsibilities of OASAS, to add a new subdivision (1) which would require OASAS to establish and distribute to every pharmacy cards or pamphlets to be provided to each person to whom any opiate, opium or any salt, compound, derivative or preparation thereof defined as a controlled substance in § 3306 of the public health law, and establish for each hospital a statement to be included on the discharge information provided to each patient to whom any opiate, or derivative thereof, is administered while admitted to the hospital. The card or pamphlet and discharge statement shall include the following information: (1) states the risks of using or consuming such controlled substances; (2) the physical, behavioral and advanced warning signs of addiction to such substances; (3) the HOPELINE telephone and text contact numbers; (4) the procedures for safe disposal of unused controlled substances; and (5) any other information as the commission shall determine to be necessary.
Read the full memo (742 words)
Section two amends the education law by adding a new section 6832 which states that any licensed pharmacist must provide the card or pamphlet established and distributed by OASAS when dispensing opiates, opium, the salts, compounds, derivatives and preparations thereof.
Section three amends the public health law by adding a new section 2803-u that requires hospitals upon discharge of a patient receiving any opiate, opium, or any salt, compound, derivative or preparation thereof defined as a controlled substance in section 3306 of the public health law to provide a statement within the discharge information containing the same information that is contained on the card or pamphlet. The patient shall sign a statement that he or she has read and understands such discharge statement.
Section four establishes the effective date.
Justification
The heroin and opioid abuse epidemic has grown to astronomical heights within the state. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that 75% of surveyed heroin users stated that their first use of an opioid was a prescription drug. In response, the New York State Senate established the Heroin Task Force which has held forums across the state to gain an in-depth understanding of the issue from experts and other stakeholders. One common theme arose at each hearing, the need for more education. It became alarmingly apparent through expert testimony that there is a significant lack of understanding regarding the dangerous nature of these medications. Parents of student athletes who received an opioid prescription as a result of a sports related injury echoed these concerns.
This bill takes a small step in ensuring that those prescribed opiate medications are provided essential and potential life-saving information. The bill requires OASAS to create either a card or pamphlet to be included with every opioid prescription dispensed within the state, as well as a statement to be included in the discharge information provided to each patient released from the hospital who is receiving an opioid prescription. This information will articulate the following: the risks of using such controlled substances; the physical, behavioral and advanced warning signs of addiction to such substances; the HOPELINE telephone contact number and text number (HOPENY) operated by OASAS; the procedures for safe disposal of drugs; and any other information the commissioner deems necessary. The establishment of this informational card or pamphlet will empower consumers to make educated decisions regarding their opioid medication, advise individuals of the warning signs of addiction, and raise awareness of the widespread epidemic facing New York State.
Legislative history
New bill
Fiscal implications
None noted.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately, except that sections two and three of this act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.