What's happening
This bill requires practitioners to counsel patients and document reasons before prescribing schedule II opioids in New York.
Why it matters
Enhances patient awareness and autonomy. By requiring practitioners to discuss both the amount prescribed and the patient’s option to receive a smaller supply, this bill empowers patients to make more informed choices about their opioid use and potentially reduce unnecessary exposure.
Strengthens safeguards against opioid addiction. Mandating that practitioners inform patients about the addiction risks of opioids ensures that patients are better educated about the dangers, which may lead to more cautious use and fewer cases of misuse.
Increases accountability and transparency in prescribing. By requiring doctors to document the medical reason for each opioid prescription, the bill creates a clearer record that can help identify inappropriate prescribing patterns and support efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.
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Require Opioid Counseling Before Prescription
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
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.
Require Opioid Counseling Before Prescribing
In Senate Committee · Health · Sponsor Fredrick J. Akshar II
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
741
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to patient counseling before issuing a prescription for a schedule II opioid
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 3331 of the public health law is amended by adding a new subdivision 2-a to read as follows:
2-a. Prior to issuing a prescription for a schedule II opioid, a practitioner shall:
(a) consult with the patient regarding the quantity of the opioid and the patient's option to fill the prescription in a lesser quantity;
(b) inform the patient of the risks associated with opiate addiction; and
(c) document the reason for the opioid prescription in the patient's medical record.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04787-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.