Resolve, To Improve the Participation Rate of Prescribers in the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  prescription drug abuse is a serious and increasing problem in this State; and

Whereas,  the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program is an important tool in reducing the incidence of prescription drug addiction, and the work of developing a process to increase the registration of prescribers in the program must begin as soon as possible; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Substance Abuse Services Commission to develop process to increase prescriber participation and promote use. Resolved: That the Substance Abuse Services Commission, established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 13-C and referred to in this resolve as "the commission," shall develop a process to increase prescriber participation in the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program, established in Title 22, section 7248 and referred to in this resolve as "the program," through professional licensing boards. The commission shall consult with the licensing boards of prescribers of controlled substances, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Substance Abuse and any other interested parties to develop a system that automatically enrolls prescribers in the program at the time of licensing or renewal of a license. The commission shall also develop strategies to promote the use of the program by prescribers; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations pursuant to section 1, along with any suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services by January 1, 2014.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.