Safe Prescribing for Veterans Act

Bill: 114-hr-5057
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]
Introduced: 2016-04-26
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs

Drug therapy

Drug trafficking and controlled substances

Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Medical education

Prescription drugs

Veterans' medical care
Latest action: action_date: 2016-05-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2016-04-26
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Safe Prescribing for Veterans Act</strong></p> <p>This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to require a VA employee (including a temporary full-time, part-time, or without-compensation employee) who is authorized to prescribe any controlled substance to complete at least one accredited continuing education course on pain management every two years. </p> <p>Such requirement shall: </p> <ul> <li>apply to an employee who is employed by the VA for at least 180 days during any 24-month period; and </li> <li>not apply to an employee licensed or certified by a state licensure or specialty board that requires the completion of pain management or substance use disorder management continuing education. </li> </ul> <p>Continuing education courses shall include information on safe prescribing practices, controlled substance disposal, pain management principles, and identification of potential substance use disorders and addiction treatment. </p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5057 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 26, 2016 Mr. Keating (for himself and Mr. Rothfus ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a continuing education requirement for employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs authorized to prescribe medication.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Safe Prescribing for Veterans Act . 2. Continuing education requirement for employees of Department of Veterans Affairs authorized to prescribe medication (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 74 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 7413. Continuing education requirement for employees authorized to prescribe medication (a) Requirement (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall require each covered employee of the Department to complete not less than one accredited course of continuing education on pain management once every two years. Such course shall include information on safe prescribing practices and disposal of controlled substances, principles of pain management, identification of potential substance use disorders and addiction treatment. (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a covered employee if the covered employee is licensed or certified by a State licensure or specialty board that requires the completion of continuing education relative to pain management or substance use disorder management. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) The term covered employee means any employee of the Department authorized to prescribe any controlled substance, including an employee hired under section 7405 of this title. (2) The term controlled substance has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 802 ). (c) Applicability The requirement under subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a covered employee for any 24-month period during which the covered employee is employed by the Department for at least 180 days. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to subchapter I of such chapter the following new item: 7413. Continuing education requirement for employees authorized to prescribe medication. . (c) Applicability Section 7413 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a 12-month period that begins on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.