By:  Averitt                                                      S.B. No. 144
	(In the Senate - Filed November 26, 2002; January 29, 2003, 
read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human 
Services; March 20, 2003, reported adversely, with favorable 
Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; 
March 20, 2003, sent to printer.)


COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 144                                    By:  Zaffirini

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the requirement that certain information be provided to health care practitioners regarding the use and abuse of certain drugs. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 153, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Sections 153.014 and 153.015 to read as follows: Sec. 153.014. INFORMATION PROVIDED TO LICENSE HOLDERS. At least once each biennium, the board shall provide to each license holder information on: (1) prescribing and dispensing pain medications, with particular emphasis on Schedule II and Schedule III controlled substances; (2) abusive and addictive behavior of certain persons who use prescription pain medications; (3) common diversion strategies employed by certain persons who use prescription pain medications, including fraudulent prescription patterns; and (4) the appropriate use of pain medications and the differences between addiction, pseudo-addiction, tolerance, and physical dependence. Sec. 153.015. POISON CONTROL CENTER INFORMATION. The board shall provide to each license holder information regarding the services provided by poison control centers. SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 202, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Sections 202.160 and 202.161 to read as follows: Sec. 202.160. INFORMATION PROVIDED TO LICENSE HOLDERS. At least once each biennium, the board shall provide to each license holder information on: (1) prescribing and dispensing pain medications, with particular emphasis on Schedule II and Schedule III controlled substances; (2) abusive and addictive behavior of certain persons who use prescription pain medications; (3) common diversion strategies employed by certain persons who use prescription pain medications, including fraudulent prescription patterns; and (4) the appropriate use of pain medications and the differences between addiction, pseudo-addiction, tolerance, and physical dependence. Sec. 202.161. POISON CONTROL CENTER INFORMATION. The board shall provide to each license holder information regarding the services provided by poison control centers. SECTION 3. Chapter 254, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Sections 254.013 and 254.014 to read as follows: Sec. 254.013. INFORMATION PROVIDED TO LICENSE HOLDERS. At least once each biennium, the board shall provide to each license holder information on: (1) prescribing and dispensing pain medications, with particular emphasis on Schedule II and Schedule III controlled substances; (2) abusive and addictive behavior of certain persons who use prescription pain medications; (3) common diversion strategies employed by certain persons who use prescription pain medications, including fraudulent prescription patterns; and (4) the appropriate use of pain medications and the differences between addiction, pseudo-addiction, tolerance, and physical dependence. Sec. 254.014. POISON CONTROL CENTER INFORMATION. The board shall provide to each license holder information regarding the services provided by poison control centers. SECTION 4. Subchapter D, Chapter 301, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Sections 301.1581 and 301.1582 to read as follows: Sec. 301.1581. INFORMATION PROVIDED TO LICENSE HOLDERS. At least once each biennium, the board shall provide to each license holder information on: (1) prescribing and dispensing pain medications, with particular emphasis on Schedule II and Schedule III controlled substances; (2) abusive and addictive behavior of certain persons who use prescription pain medications; (3) common diversion strategies employed by certain persons who use prescription pain medications, including fraudulent prescription patterns; and (4) the appropriate use of pain medications and the differences between addiction, pseudo-addiction, tolerance, and physical dependence. Sec. 301.1582. POISON CONTROL CENTER INFORMATION. The board shall provide to each license holder information regarding the services provided by poison control centers. SECTION 5. Subchapter D, Chapter 302, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Sections 302.1551 and 302.1552 to read as follows: Sec. 302.1551. INFORMATION PROVIDED TO LICENSE HOLDERS. At least once each biennium, the board shall provide to each license holder information on: (1) prescribing and dispensing pain medications, with particular emphasis on Schedule II and Schedule III controlled substances; (2) abusive and addictive behavior of certain persons who use prescription pain medications; (3) common diversion strategies employed by certain persons who use prescription pain medications, including fraudulent prescription patterns; and (4) the appropriate use of pain medications and the differences between addiction, pseudo-addiction, tolerance, and physical dependence. Sec. 302.1552. POISON CONTROL CENTER INFORMATION. The board shall provide to each license holder information regarding the services provided by poison control centers. SECTION 6. Subchapter A, Chapter 554, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Sections 554.014 and 554.015 to read as follows: Sec. 554.014. INFORMATION PROVIDED TO LICENSE HOLDERS. At least once each biennium, the board shall provide to each license holder information on: (1) prescribing and dispensing pain medications, with particular emphasis on Schedule II and Schedule III controlled substances; (2) abusive and addictive behavior of certain persons who use prescription pain medications; (3) common diversion strategies employed by certain persons who use prescription pain medications, including fraudulent prescription patterns; and (4) the appropriate use of pain medications and the differences between addiction, pseudo-addiction, tolerance, and physical dependence. Sec. 554.015. POISON CONTROL CENTER INFORMATION. The board shall provide to each license holder information regarding the services provided by poison control centers. SECTION 7. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 2003. (b) A state agency that is subject to this Act shall develop written and other materials that contain the information required by this Act not later than January 1, 2004. The state agencies that are subject to this Act shall: (1) cooperate in developing the materials; and (2) ensure, to the extent possible, that the same information is contained in the materials used by each agency.
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