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An Act To Remove Veterinarians from the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §7246, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2015, c. 488, §2, is further amended to read:
 
5. Prescriber.   "Prescriber" means a licensed health care professional with authority to prescribe controlled substances and a veterinarian licensed under Title 32, chapter 71-A with authority to prescribe controlled substances.
Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §4864, sub-§12, ¶D, as amended by PL 2015, c. 488, §24, is further amended to read:
 
D. The continuance of a veterinarian directly or indirectly in the employ of or in association with any veterinarian after knowledge that such veterinarian is engaged in the violation of the provisions of this chapter; or
Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §4864, sub-§13, as amended by PL 2015, c. 488, §25, is further amended to read:
 
13. Lack of sanitation.   Failure to maintain veterinary premises and equipment in a clean and sanitary condition as defined by the board in accordance with the sanitation provisions included in Title 7, section 3936; or.
Sec. 4. 32 MRSA §4864, sub-§15, as enacted by PL 2015, c. 488, §26, is repealed.
Sec. 5. 32 MRSA §4878, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2015, c. 488, §27, is repealed.
Sec. 6. 32 MRSA §4878, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 2015, c. 488, §27, is amended to read:
 
3. Continuing education.   By December 31, 2017, aA veterinarian who prescribes opioid medication must successfully complete 3 hours of continuing education every 2 years on the administration, prescription and management of opioid medicationcontrolled substances as a condition of prescribing opioid medication. The board shall adopt rules to implement this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
 
SUMMARY
This bill eliminates the requirement that veterinarians check prescription monitoring information under the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program upon prescribing certain medications, including opioids. It also changes the continuing education requirement to require a veterinarian who prescribes opioid medication to successfully complete 3 hours of continuing education every 2 years on the administration, prescription and management of controlled substances. Current law requires such a veterinarian to successfully complete 3 hours of continuing education every 2 years on the prescription of opioid medication.