MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Kirby, Jackson (11th), Blackwell, Branning, Burton, Carter, Chassaniol, Fillingane, Gollott, Harkins, Hill, Hopson, Jackson (32nd), Moran, Parker, Parks, Wiggins, Younger, Jordan
AN ACT TO CREATE THE "MISSISSIPPI OPIOID CRISIS COMMISSION" TO REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE GOVERNOR, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND APPROPRIATE REGULATORY AGENCIES RELATIVE TO OPIOID ISSUES AND TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE CONSENSUS APPROACH WITH LEGISLATIVE AND/OR REGULATORY RECOMMENDATIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION SHALL CONVENE BEGINNING MAY 1, 2018, TO CONDUCT HEARINGS AND DEVELOP ITS INITIAL REPORT AND SHALL UPDATE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS; TO PRESCRIBE THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMMISSION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) The Legislature finds:
(a) The opioid crisis stemming from prescribed controlled substances must be addressed by all regulatory agencies.
(b) There is a need to study the recommendations made by the Governor's Opioid and Heroin Task Force and develop a comprehensive regulatory approach to reduce deaths and overdoses from legally acquired prescription narcotics.
(c) State agencies are already developing regulations to address the issue but with different approaches and timelines.
(d) The solutions to the opioid crisis will require legislation and regulatory changes and treatment options.
(2) There is hereby created the Mississippi Opioid Crisis Commission to identify and examine all recommendations issued by the Governor, the State Department of Health, the various health care providers and the appropriate regulatory agencies relative to opioid issues and to develop a comprehensive consensus approach with legislative and/or regulatory recommendations.
(3) The Opioid Crisis Commission shall be composed of the following members:
(a) The State Health Officer who shall serve as Chair of the Commission;
(b) The Chairmen of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, the Senate Drug Policy Committee, the House Public Health and Welfare Committee, and the House Drug Policy Committee;
(c) Two (2) members of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and two (2) members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker;
(d) Representatives from each of the following licensing agencies of health care prescribers appointed by the regulatory board: State Board of Medical Licensure, State Board of Pharmacy, State Board of Dental Examiners, and the State Board of Nursing;
(e) Three (3) representatives of the addiction treatment/mental health provider community appointed by the State Board of Mental Health;
(f) A representative of the Governor.
(4) Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act. The commission shall hold its first meeting before May 1, 2018, at the call of the chair.
(5) A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. In the adoption of the rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of the majority of the members shall be required. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings and such notices shall be mailed at least five (5) days before the date on which a meeting is to be held.
(6) The State Department of Health shall provide administrative and clerical support for the operation of the commission. To effectuate the purposes of this section, any department, division, board, bureau, committee or agency of the state or any political subdivision thereof, shall, at the request of any member of the commission, provide such facilities, assistance, information and data as will enable the committee to properly carry out its duties.
(7) The commission shall develop its initial report with recommendations on or before August 1, 2018. After July 1, 2018, the commission shall meet at least annually to review statistical information, the impact of adopted regulations, and other data as needed to evaluate the effectiveness of adopted regulations and law and make additional recommendations as needed.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.