HARRISBURG – The Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved three measures aimed to address the state’s growing opioid addiction crisis, adding to bills already approved by the Senate and sent to the House of Representatives.
Senate Bill 1367, sponsored by Senator Gene Yaw (R-23), would limit the amount of opioids that may be prescribed for minors. The bill includes exceptions for cases involving chronic pain, cancer treatment or for palliative care or hospice care. Additionally, the bill requires a health care professional to obtain written consent from a minor’s parent or legal guardian to prescribe a medical treatment containing opioids, and provide information on the risks of addiction and dangers of overdose associated with the medication.
Senate Bill 1368, sponsored by Senator Tom Killion (R-9), would implement Safe Opioid Prescribing Curriculum in all of Pennsylvania’s medical schools. The plan calls for a focus in four key areas including pain management; multimodal treatments for chronic pain that minimize the use of opioids, or when opioids are indicated, to prescribe them in a way that is safe and that follows guideline-based care; focusing on patients who have been identified as at-risk for developing problems with prescription opioids; and teaching medical students how to manage substance abuse disorders as a chronic disease.
Additionally, Senate Bill 1212, sponsored by Senator John Wozniak (D-35), would establish the School Aged Children Opioid Awareness Education Program. The Departments of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Health, and Education will be required to work cooperatively to design a request for proposals for organizations that can provide opioid awareness education programs to be delivered in schools