Servicemembers and Veterans Prescription Drug Safety Act of 2017

To provide for a prescription drug take-back program for members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Servicemembers and Veterans Prescription Drug Safety Act of 2017 2. Prescription drug take-back program for members of the Armed Forces and their dependents (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered beneficiary The term covered beneficiary (2) Covered controlled substance The term covered controlled substance 21 U.S.C. 812(c) (3) Dependent The term dependent (4) Eligible person The term eligible person (A) a member of the Armed Forces; (B) an individual who is receiving or is entitled to receive retired or retainer pay under chapter 71 (C) a dependent of a member of the Armed Forces, if that dependent is a covered beneficiary in receipt of health care services under chapter 55 (D) any person lawfully entitled to dispose of the property of a person described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) who dies while lawfully in possession of a covered controlled substance for personal use. (5) Program The term program (6) Secretary The term Secretary (b) Program required (1) In general The Secretary and the Attorney General shall jointly carry out a program, which shall, except as provided in paragraph (2), be carried out in accordance with section 302(g) of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 822(g) (2) Delivery of controlled substances Notwithstanding the requirement under section 302(g)(1) of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 822(g)(1) (c) Prevention of abuse In implementing the program, the Secretary and the Attorney General shall jointly develop appropriate guidelines and procedures to prevent the diversion, misuse, theft, or loss of controlled substances delivered under the program. (d) Administration of program (1) Regulations Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Attorney General shall jointly prescribe regulations to carry out the program. (2) Implementation Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary and the Attorney General jointly prescribe regulations under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall fully implement the program. 3. Prescription drug take-back program for veterans and their dependents (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered controlled substance The term covered controlled substance 21 U.S.C. 812(c) (2) Eligible person The term eligible person (A) a veteran; (B) the spouse of a veteran, if the spouse is in receipt of medical services under laws administered by the Secretary; (C) a dependent of a veteran, if the dependent is in receipt of medical services under laws administered by the Secretary; (D) a person described in section 2(a)(4) who is in receipt of medical services at a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (E) any person lawfully entitled to dispose of the property of a person described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) who dies while lawfully in possession of a covered controlled substance for personal use. (3) Program The term program (4) Secretary The term Secretary (5) Veteran The term veteran (b) Program required (1) In general The Secretary and the Attorney General shall jointly carry out a program, which shall, except as provided in paragraph (2), be carried out in accordance with section 302(g) of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 822(g) (2) Delivery of controlled substances Notwithstanding the requirement under section 302(g)(1) of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 822(g)(1) (c) Prevention of abuse In implementing the program, the Secretary and the Attorney General shall jointly develop appropriate guidelines and procedures to prevent the diversion, misuse, theft, or loss of controlled substances delivered under the program. (d) Administration of program (1) Regulations Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Attorney General shall jointly prescribe regulations to carry out the program. (2) Implementation Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary and the Attorney General jointly prescribe regulations under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall fully implement the program.

Summary: Servicemembers and Veterans Prescription Drug Safety Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to carry out a joint program under which an eligible person who has lawfully obtained a covered controlled substance may deliver it for disposal at a facility to be specified by DOD and DOJ. An eligible person for this purpose shall be: a member of the Armed Forces, an individual receiving or entitled to military retired or retainer pay, a member's dependent-beneficiary who is receiving certain health care services, or any person lawfully entitled to dispose of the property of any of such individuals who dies in lawful possession of a controlled substance for personal use. DOD and DOJ shall develop guidelines and procedures to prevent the diversion, misuse, theft, or loss of such substances delivered under the program. DOJ and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall carry out a similar joint program covering any veteran, veteran's spouse or dependent, a person in receipt of medical services at a VA facility, or any person lawfully entitled to dispose of the property of any of such individuals who dies in lawful possession of a controlled substance for personal use. DOJ and the VA shall also develop guidelines and procedures to prevent the diversion, misuse, theft, or loss of such substances delivered under the program.