This week's substance use-related legislative updates in a nutshell:
  • Three new substance use-related House Bills were introduced involving controlled substances, the Idaho Pharmacy Act, and toxicology results.
  • Previously introduced bills SJR101 and S1017 were reported out of their Committees with Do Pass Recommendations.
New Introduced Legislation
House Bill No. 31

Summary - Amends existing law to provide certain authority to the state forensic laboratory.

Statement of Purpose - This legislation would allow Idaho State Police (ISP) to perform testing for coroners that do not have the resources or do not want to pay for the testing at a private lab, permit ISPFS to share the results of the toxicology testing with the Department of Health and Welfare for statistical and monitoring purposes, and specify in state law that ISP Forensics can perform toxicology testing for these purposes.

Status - H0031 was introduced on January 22 and referred to the Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee on January 25.

House Bill No. 39

Summary - Amends existing law to provide certain responsibilities to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.

Statement of Purpose - This legislation places the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) with the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (IDOPL) where it would then be applicable to all the health professions.
It will also improve the opportunity for agencies to work together in protecting public health through the monitoring of the appropriate use of opioids.

Status - H0039 was introduced on January 25 and referred to the Health & Welfare Committee on January 26.

House Bill No. 40

Summary - Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to update the Idaho Pharmacy Act.

Statement of Purpose - The bill updates and modernizes provisions of the Pharmacy Act, removing unnecessary language duplicated in federal law and providing housekeeping and technical updates. In addition, the bill updates provisions of the Pharmacy Act, clarifying the definition of pharmacist prescribing to make permanent restrictions waived during the novel coronavirus 19 pandemic.

Status - H0040 was introduced on January 25 and referred to the Health & Welfare Committee on January 26.

Updates on SJR101 and S1017
Senate Joint Resolution No. 101
  • January 25 - The State Affairs Committee was presented with the findings of the Legislature and heard public testimony.
  • January 29 - Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation. Filed for second reading.
  • Full bill information can be found here, and audio/video of State Affairs Committee sessions can be downloaded here.

Senate Bill No. 1017
  • January 28 - Reported out of Health & Welfare Committee with a Do Pass Recommendation. Filed for second reading.
  • Full bill information can be found here, and audio/video of Health & Welfare Committee sessions can be downloaded here.
Have feedback, thoughts, or questions? Email me at jessie.dexter@odp.idaho.gov
Sincerely,

Jessie Dexter
Governor's Office of Drug Policy
Idaho Office of Drug Policy | odp.idaho.gov