An Act To Prevent Opiate Abuse by Strengthening the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1646
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: CUSHING, McCABE, HASKELL, MASON, ESPLING, HEAD, PETERSON, SANDERSON, VACHON
Amends: 22 MRSA §7249, 22 MRSA §7251, 22 MRSA §7253, 32 MRSA §1062-B, 32 MRSA §1077, 32 MRSA §2105-A, 32 MRSA §2210, 32 MRSA §2591-A, 32 MRSA §2600-C, 32 MRSA §3282-A, 32 MRSA §3300-F, 32 MRSA §3656, 32 MRSA §3657

Legislative Document 
No. 1646 
S.P. 671 
In Senate, March 10, 2016 
An Act To Prevent Opiate Abuse by Strengthening the Controlled 
Substances Prescription Monitoring Program 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator CUSHING of Penobscot.  (GOVERNOR'S BILL) 
Cosponsored by Representative McCABE of Skowhegan and 
Senators: HASKELL of Cumberland, MASON of Androscoggin, McCORMICK of Kennebec, 
Representatives: ESPLING of New Gloucester, HEAD of Bethel, PETERSON of Rumford, 
SANDERSON of Chelsea, VACHON of Scarborough. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA §7249, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 483, §1, is amended 
to read: 
4.  Immunity from liability.  A dispenser or prescriber is immune from liability for 
disclosure of information if the disclosure was made pursuant to and in accordance with 
this chapter. 
Sec. 2.  22 MRSA §7251, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. AA, §70, is 
further amended to read: 
1.  Failure to submit information.  A dispenser who knowingly fails to submit 
prescription monitoring information to the department as required by this chapter 
commits a civil violation for which a fine of $250 per incident, not to exceed $5,000 per 
calendar year, may be adjudged and is subject to discipline by the Maine Board of 
Pharmacy pursuant to Title 32, chapter 117, subchapter 4 or by the applicable 
professional licensing entity. 
Sec. 3.  22 MRSA §7253 is enacted to read: 
§7253.  Prescribers and dispensers required to check prescription monitoring 
information 
1.  Prescribers.  Upon initial prescription of a benzodiazepine or an opioid to a 
person and every 90 days for as long as the prescription is renewed, a prescriber shall 
check prescription monitoring information for records related to that person. 
2.  Dispensers.  Prior to dispensing a benzodiazepine or an opioid to a person, a 
dispenser shall check prescription monitoring information for records related to that 
person.  A dispenser shall notify the program and withhold a prescription until the 
dispenser is able to contact the prescriber of that prescription if the dispenser has reason 
to believe that that prescription is fraudulent or duplicative. 
3.  Violation.  A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which 
a fine of $250 per incident, not to exceed $5,000 per calendar year, may be adjudged. 
4.  Rulemaking.  Notwithstanding section 7252, the department may adopt routine 
technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A to implement this 
section. 
Sec. 4.  32 MRSA §1062-B is enacted to read: 
§1062-B.  Requirements regarding prescription of opioid pain medication 
1.  Limits on opioid prescribing.  An individual licensed under this chapter and 
whose scope of practice includes prescribing medication: 
A.  Must successfully complete a training course by December 31, 2017 and every 5 
years thereafter on the prescription of opioid pain medication that has been approved 
by the Department of Health and Human Services as a condition of prescribing opioid 
pain medications.  The department shall make publicly available a list of approved 
opioid prescription training courses; 
B.  May not prescribe in excess of 100 morphine milligram equivalents of an opioid 
pain medication per day to any one patient; 
C.  May not prescribe within a 15-day period more than a 15-day supply of an opioid 
pain medication to a patient under treatment for chronic pain; 
D.  May not prescribe within a 3-day period more than a 3-day supply of an opioid 
pain medication to a patient under treatment for acute pain; and 
E.  Beginning January 1, 2018, may only prescribe opioid pain medications 
electronically. 
2.  Penalties.  An individual who violates this section commits a civil violation for 
which a fine of $250 per violation, not to exceed $5,000 per calendar year, may be 
adjudged.  The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for the 
enforcement of this section. 
Sec. 5.  32 MRSA §1077, sub-§2, ¶H, as amended by PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, 
§62, is further amended to read: 
H.  A violation of this chapter or a rule adopted by the board; or 
Sec. 6.  32 MRSA §1077, sub-§2, ¶I, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 378, §7, is 
amended to read: 
I.  Engaging in false, misleading or deceptive advertising.; or 
Sec. 7.  32 MRSA §1077, sub-§2, ¶J is enacted to read: 
J.  Failure to comply with the requirements of Title 22, section 7251, subsection 1 or 
Title 22, section 7253. 
Sec. 8.  32 MRSA §2105-A, sub-§2, ¶H, as amended by PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, 
§116, is further amended to read: 
H.  A violation of this chapter or a rule adopted by the board; or 
Sec. 9.  32 MRSA §2105-A, sub-§2, ¶I, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 378, §21, is 
further amended to read: 
I.  Engaging in false, misleading or deceptive advertising.; or 
Sec. 10.  32 MRSA §2105-A, sub-§2, ¶J is enacted to read: 
J.  Failure to comply with the requirements of Title 22, section 7251, subsection 1 or 
Title 22, section 7253. 
Sec. 11.  32 MRSA §2210 is enacted to read: 
§2210.  Requirements regarding prescription of opioid pain medication 
1.  Limits on opioid prescribing.  An individual licensed under this subchapter: 
A.  Must successfully complete a training course by December 31, 2017 and every 5 
years thereafter on the prescription of opioid pain medication that has been approved 
by the Department of Health and Human Services as a condition of prescribing opioid 
pain medications.  The department shall make publicly available a list of approved 
opioid prescription training courses; 
B.  May not prescribe in excess of 100 morphine milligram equivalents of an opioid 
pain medication per day to any one patient; 
C.  May not prescribe within a 15-day period more than a 15-day supply of an opioid 
pain medication to a patient under treatment for chronic pain; 
D.  May not prescribe within a 3-day period more than a 3-day supply of an opioid 
pain medication to a patient under treatment for acute pain; and 
E.  Beginning January 1, 2018, may only prescribe opioid pain medications 
electronically. 
2.  Penalties.  An individual who violates this section commits a civil violation for 
which a fine of $250 per violation, not to exceed $5,000 per calendar year, may be 
adjudged.  The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for the 
enforcement of this section. 
Sec. 12.  32 MRSA §2591-A, sub-§2, ¶M, as amended by PL 1997, c. 680, Pt. B, 
§6, is further amended to read: 
M.  Failure to comply with the requirements of Title 24, section 2905-A; or 
Sec. 13.  32 MRSA §2591-A, sub-§2, ¶N, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 680, Pt. B, 
§7, is amended to read: 
N.  Revocation, suspension or restriction of a license to practice medicine or other 
disciplinary action; denial of an application for a license; or surrender of a license to 
practice medicine following the institution of disciplinary action by another state or a 
territory of the United States or a foreign country if the conduct resulting in the 
disciplinary or other action involving the license would, if committed in this State, 
constitute grounds for discipline under the laws or rules of this State.; or 
Sec. 14.  32 MRSA §2591-A, sub-§2, ¶O is enacted to read: 
O.  Failure to comply with the requirements of Title 22, section 7251, subsection 1 or 
Title 22, section 7253. 
Sec. 15.  32 MRSA §2600-C is enacted to read: 
§2600-C.  Requirements regarding prescription of opioid pain medication 
1.  Limits on opioid prescribing.  An individual licensed under this chapter: 
A.  Must successfully complete a training course by December 31, 2017 and every 5 
years thereafter on the prescription of opioid pain medication that has been approved 
by the Department of Health and Human Services as a condition of prescribing opioid 
pain medications.  The department shall make publicly available a list of approved 
opioid prescription training courses; 
B.  May not prescribe in excess of 100 morphine milligram equivalents of an opioid 
pain medication per day to any one patient; 
C.  May not prescribe within a 15-day period more than a 15-day supply of an opioid 
pain medication to a patient under treatment for chronic pain; 
D.  May not prescribe within a 3-day period more than a 3-day supply of an opioid 
pain medication to a patient under treatment for acute pain; and 
E.  Beginning January 1, 2018, may only prescribe opioid pain medications 
electronically. 
2.  Penalties.  An individual who violates this section commits a civil violation for 
which a fine of $250 per violation, not to exceed $5,000 per calendar year, may be 
adjudged.  The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for the 
enforcement of this section. 
Sec. 16.  32 MRSA §3282-A, sub-§2, ¶¶Q and R, as enacted by PL 2013, c. 
355, §12, are amended to read: 
Q.  Failure to produce upon request of the board any documents in the licensee's 
possession or under the licensee's control concerning a pending complaint or 
proceeding or any matter under investigation by the board, unless otherwise 
prohibited by state or federal law; or 
R.  Failure to timely respond to a complaint notification sent by the board.; or 
Sec. 17.  32 MRSA §3282-A, sub-§2, ¶S is enacted to read: 
S.  Failure to comply with the requirements of Title 22, section 7251, subsection 1 or 
Title 22, section 7253. 
Sec. 18.  32 MRSA §3300-F is enacted to read: 
§3300-F.  Requirements regarding prescription of opioid pain medication 
1.  Limits on opioid prescribing.  An individual licensed under this chapter: 
A.  Must successfully complete a training course by December 31, 2017 and every 5 
years thereafter on the prescription of opioid pain medication that has been approved 
by the Department of Health and Human Services as a condition of prescribing opioid 
pain medications.  The department shall make publicly available a list of approved 
opioid prescription training courses; 
B.  May not prescribe in excess of 100 morphine milligram equivalents of an opioid 
pain medication per day to any one patient; 
C.  May not prescribe within a 15-day period more than a 15-day supply of an opioid 
pain medication to a patient under treatment for chronic pain; 
D.  May not prescribe within a 3-day period more than a 3-day supply of an opioid 
pain medication to a patient under treatment for acute pain; and 
E.  Beginning January 1, 2018, may only prescribe opioid pain medications 
electronically. 
2.  Penalties.  An individual who violates this section commits a civil violation for 
which a fine of $250 per violation, not to exceed $5,000 per calendar year, may be 
adjudged.  The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for the 
enforcement of this section.  
Sec. 19.  32 MRSA §3656, sub-§§3 and 4, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. P, 
§14, are amended to read: 
3.  False advertising.  Engaging in false, misleading or deceptive advertising; or 
4.  Unlawful prescription of controlled substance.  Prescribing narcotic or hypnotic 
or other drugs listed as controlled substances by the federal Drug Enforcement 
Administration for other than accepted therapeutic purposes.; or 
Sec. 20.  32 MRSA §3656, sub-§5 is enacted to read: 
5.  Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program.  Failure to comply 
with the requirements of Title 22, section 7251, subsection 1 or Title 22, section 7253. 
Sec. 21.  32 MRSA §3657 is enacted to read: 
§3657.  Requirements regarding prescription of opioid pain medication 
1.  Limits on opioid prescribing.  An individual licensed under this chapter: 
A.  Must successfully complete a training course by December 31, 2017 and every 5 
years thereafter on the prescription of opioid pain medication that has been approved 
by the Department of Health and Human Services as a condition of prescribing opioid 
pain medications.  The department shall make publicly available a list of approved 
opioid prescription training courses; 
B.  May not prescribe in excess of 100 morphine milligram equivalents of an opioid 
pain medication per day to any one patient; 
C.  May not prescribe within a 15-day period more than a 15-day supply of an opioid 
pain medication to a patient under treatment for chronic pain; 
D.  May not prescribe within a 3-day period more than a 3-day supply of an opioid 
pain medication to a patient under treatment for acute pain; and 
E.  Beginning January 1, 2018, may only prescribe opioid pain medications 
electronically. 
2.  Penalties.  An individual who violates this section commits a civil violation for 
which a fine of $250 per violation, not to exceed $5,000 per calendar year, may be 
adjudged.  The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for the 
enforcement of this section.  
SUMMARY 
This bill makes the following changes to the laws governing the Controlled 
Substances Prescription Monitoring Program and the prescribing and dispensing of 
opioids and other drugs. 
1.  It provides to a prescriber immunity from liability for disclosure of information to 
the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program. 
2.  It provides that upon initial prescription of a benzodiazepine or an opioid to a 
person and every 90 days for as long as the prescription is renewed, a prescriber must 
check prescription monitoring information maintained by the Controlled Substances 
Prescription Monitoring Program for records related to that person.  A prescriber who 
violates this provision is subject to a fine of $250 per incident, not to exceed $5,000 per 
calendar year. 
3.  It provides that prior to dispensing a benzodiazepine or an opioid to a person, a 
dispenser must check prescription monitoring information maintained by the Controlled 
Substances Prescription Monitoring Program for records related to that person.  A 
dispenser must notify the program and withhold a prescription until the dispenser is able 
to contact the prescriber of that prescription if the dispenser has reason to believe that that 
prescription is fraudulent or duplicative.  A dispenser who violates these provisions is 
subject to a fine of $250 per incident, not to exceed $5,000 per calendar year. 
4.  It provides that the failure of a health care provider who is a prescriber or 
dispenser to check prescription monitoring information or to submit prescription 
monitoring information to the Department of Health and Human Services as required by 
law is grounds for discipline of that health care provider. 
5.  It requires that by December 31, 2017 and every 5 years thereafter a health care 
provider who is a prescriber must successfully complete a training course on the 
prescription of opioid pain medication that has been approved by the Department of 
Health and Human Services as a condition of prescribing opioid pain medications. 
6.  It sets limits on the amount of opioid pain medication that may be prescribed to a 
patient. 
7.  It provides that beginning January 1, 2018, opioid pain medication may only be 
prescribed electronically.