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Amend the amendment by striking out all of sections 1 to 5 and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1.  25 MRSA §2917  is enacted to read:
§ 2917. Safe pharmaceutical drug disposal
 
1.  Program.   The commissioner shall work with county sheriffs and municipal chiefs of police who volunteer to participate in establishing within their jurisdictions secure pharmaceutical drug depositories with the goal of establishing at least one depository site in each county. The commissioner shall establish minimum requirements for the depositories that must ensure that depository sites are convenient for the public and provide a safe location for the drop-off of unwanted pharmaceutical drugs and a secure mechanism to prevent the possibility of drugs being illegally acquired. The commissioner shall provide transportation of pharmaceutical drugs from the depositories to a licensed disposal site and shall coordinate with local authorities to establish one yearly pick-up and drop-off date.
 
2.  Fund.   There is established the Safe Drug Depository Fund administered by the commissioner for the purpose of supporting the establishment of safe pharmaceutical drug depositories pursuant to subsection 1. The fund may accept funds from public or private sources. The money in the fund may be spent only for the purchase of secure drug depository site receptacles and to support the cost of proper disposal methods.
Sec. 2. Working group. The Commissioner of Public Safety shall establish a working group including representatives of the Department of Public Safety, county sheriffs, municipal chiefs of police, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, drug manufacturers, pharmacies, health care providers and long-term care facilities to assist in the development of the safe pharmaceutical drug depository system under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 25, section 2917. The working group must meet at least twice each year to evaluate the program and make recommendations to the commissioner for program improvements. The commissioner shall report annually to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters on the work of the working group.
Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF
 
Drug Enforcement Agency 0388
 
Initiative: Establishes the Safe Drug Depository Fund.

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2009-10	2010-11	
All Other	$0	$500	
			
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$0	$500	
 
’
 
SUMMARY
This amendment strikes sections 1 to 5 in Committee Amendment "A" and directs the Commissioner of Public Safety to work with local law enforcement authorities to develop secure pharmaceutical drug depositories for the safe disposal of unwanted pharmaceutical drugs. The amendment establishes a fund for public and private contributions to support the establishment of depositories and directs the commissioner to establish a working group to evaluate the depository program and make recommendations for improvements. The amendment also adds an appropriations and allocations section.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)