An Act To Inform Patients of the Dangers of Addicting Opioids
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0479
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: SANDERSON, BRAKEY, FREDETTE, PARRY, TIMBERLAKE, WADSWORTH
Amends: 32 MRSA §2210, 32 MRSA §2600-C, 32 MRSA §3300-F, 32 MRSA §3657, 32 MRSA §18308

Legislative Document
No. 479
H.P. 342
House of Representatives, February 9, 2017
An Act To Inform Patients of the Dangers of Addicting Opioids
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative SANDERSON of Chelsea.
Cosponsored by Senator BRAKEY of Androscoggin and
Representatives: FREDETTE of Newport, PARRY of Arundel, TIMBERLAKE of Turner, 
WADSWORTH of Hiram.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  32 MRSA §2210, sub-§6 is enacted to read: 
6.  Opioid medication information disclosure.  Prior to prescribing an opioid 
medication to a patient, an individual licensed under this chapter whose scope of practice 
includes prescribing opioid medication shall inform the patient of the risks of using the 
opioid medication, including but not limited to the risk of forming an addiction to the 
opioid medication, and receive from the patient a written certification that the patient has 
been provided that information. 
Sec. 2.  32 MRSA §2600-C, sub-§6 is enacted to read: 
6.  Opioid medication information disclosure.  Prior to prescribing an opioid 
medication to a patient, an individual licensed under this chapter whose scope of practice 
includes prescribing opioid medication shall inform the patient of the risks of using the 
opioid medication, including but not limited to the risk of forming an addiction to the 
opioid medication, and receive from the patient a written certification that the patient has 
been provided that information. 
Sec. 3.  32 MRSA §3300-F, sub-§6 is enacted to read: 
6.  Opioid medication information disclosure.  Prior to prescribing an opioid 
medication to a patient, an individual licensed under this chapter whose scope of practice 
includes prescribing opioid medication shall inform the patient of the risks of using the 
opioid medication, including but not limited to the risk of forming an addiction to the 
opioid medication, and receive from the patient a written certification that the patient has 
been provided that information. 
Sec. 4.  32 MRSA §3657, sub-§6 is enacted to read: 
6.  Opioid medication information disclosure.  Prior to prescribing an opioid 
medication to a patient, an individual licensed under this chapter whose scope of practice 
includes prescribing opioid medication shall inform the patient of the risks of using the 
opioid medication, including but not limited to the risk of forming an addiction to the 
opioid medication, and receive from the patient a written certification that the patient has 
been provided that information. 
Sec. 5.  32 MRSA §18308, sub-§6 is enacted to read: 
6.  Opioid medication information disclosure.  Prior to prescribing an opioid 
medication to a patient, an individual licensed under this chapter whose scope of practice 
includes prescribing opioid medication shall inform the patient of the risks of using the 
opioid medication, including but not limited to the risk of forming an addiction to the 
opioid medication, and receive from the patient a written certification that the patient has 
been provided that information. 
SUMMARY 
This bill requires that a health care provider who is a prescriber of opioid medication 
must, before prescribing an opioid medication, inform the patient of the risks of using the 
opioid medication, including but not limited to the risk of forming an addiction to the 
opioid medication, and receive from the patient a written certification that the patient has 
been provided that information.