Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs Committee |
HB 1637
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Authorizing law enforcement and prosecutorial officials of federally recognized Indian tribes access to prescription monitoring data.
Sponsors: Representatives Stokesbary, Hurst, Gregory, Zeiger, Rodne, Stambaugh, Magendanz, Kretz, Kochmar, Santos, Appleton, Sells, Van De Wege, Robinson, Ormsby, Fey, Dent and Jinkins.
Brief Summary of Bill |
Authorizes law enforcement or prosecutorial officials of federally recognized tribes to access prescription monitoring data. |
Hearing Date: 2/3/15
Staff: Kirsten Lee (786-7133).
Background:
In 2007 the Department of Health (DOH) was authorized to establish and maintain a Prescription Monitoring Program to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of all Schedules II, III, IV, and V controlled substances. Information submitted for each prescription must include at least a patient identifier, the drug dispensed, the date of dispensing, the quantity dispensed, the prescriber, and the dispenser. With certain exceptions, prescription information submitted to DOH is confidential.
The exceptions allow the DOH to provide data in the Prescription Monitoring Program to:
persons authorized to prescribe or dispense controlled substances;
an individual who requests the individual's own records;
health professional licensing, certification, or regulatory agencies;
local, state, and federal law enforcement or prosecutorial officials who are engaged in bona fide specific investigations involving a designated person;
authorized practitioners of the Department of Social and Health Services and the Health Care Authority regarding Medicaid recipients;
the Director of the Department of Labor and Industries regarding workers' compensation claimants;
the Director of the Department of Corrections regarding committed offenders;
entities under court order; and
DOH personnel for the purposes of administering the program.
Data may also be provided to public or private entities for statistical, research, or educational purposes after removing identifying information.
Summary of Bill:
The (DOH) may provide data in the Prescription Monitoring Program to law enforcement or prosecutorial officials of federally recognized tribes who are engaged in a bona fide specific investigation involving a designated person.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on 1/30/15.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.