Servicemembers and Veterans Prescription Drug Safety Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-4653
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-17]
Introduced: 2017-12-14
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Drug trafficking and controlled substances

Military medicine

Military personnel and dependents

Prescription drugs

Veterans' medical care
Latest action: action_date: 2018-01-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-12-14
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Servicemembers and Veterans Prescription Drug Safety Act of 2017</b> </p> <p> 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. </p> <p>An eligible person for this purpose shall be: </p> <ul> <li>a member of the Armed Forces, </li> <li>an individual receiving or entitled to military retired or retainer pay, </li> <li>a member's dependent-beneficiary who is receiving certain health care services, or </li> <li>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. </li> </ul> <p>DOD and DOJ shall develop guidelines and procedures to prevent the diversion, misuse, theft, or loss of such substances delivered under the program. </p> <p>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. </p> <p>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.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4653 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 14, 2017 Mr. Cartwright introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce , and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services , the Judiciary , and Veterans' Affairs , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL 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 has the meaning given that term in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code. (2) Covered controlled substance The term covered controlled substance means a controlled substance that is listed in schedule II, III, IV, or V of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 812(c) ). (3) Dependent The term dependent has the meaning given that term in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code. (4) Eligible person The term eligible person means— (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 of title 10, United States Code; (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 of title 10, United States Code; and (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 means the program established under subsection (b)(1). (6) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Defense. (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) ), under which an eligible person who has lawfully obtained a covered controlled substance in accordance with such Act may deliver the covered controlled substance to be disposed of at a facility and by a person specified under paragraph (2). (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) ) that a person receiving a controlled substance be authorized to receive the controlled substance under such Act, the Secretary and the Attorney General shall jointly specify the facilities and persons to which covered controlled substances may be delivered under the program. (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 means a controlled substance that is listed in schedule II, III, IV, or V of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 812(c) ). (2) Eligible person The term eligible person means— (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 means the program established under subsection (b)(1). (4) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (5) Veteran The term veteran has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (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) ), under which an eligible person who has lawfully obtained a covered controlled substance in accordance with such Act may deliver the covered controlled substance to be disposed of at a facility and by a person specified under paragraph (2). (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) ) that a person receiving a controlled substance be authorized to receive the controlled substance under such Act, the Secretary and the Attorney General shall jointly specify the facilities and persons to which covered controlled substances may be delivered under the program. (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.