SB151 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Larry Dixon

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Controlled substances, prescription drug monitoring program, meetings of Controlled Substances Prescription Database Advisory Committee, members authorized to meet electronically and by proxy, out-of-state access to prescription drug monitoring database authorized, State Board of Health authorized to use fees for database operations, Secs. 20-2-212, 20-2-214, 20-2-217 am'd.; Act 2009-489, 2009 Reg. Sess. am'd.

Summary

SB151 updates Alabama's prescription drug monitoring program by creating an advisory committee, allowing proxies and out-of-state access, and funding it with a dedicated fund and a $10 yearly surcharge.

What This Bill Does

It establishes and funds a controlled substances prescription database program, including a new dedicated trust fund for administration and operations. It creates a Controlled Substances Prescription Database Advisory Committee with broad professional representation, allows proxies for meetings, and requires annual diversity reporting. It sets who may access the database, including certifying boards, licensed prescribers and their staff, pharmacists, law enforcement with probable cause, department personnel, and out-of-state programs under board rules. It imposes a $10 annual surcharge on relevant licenses and certificates to fund the program, with proceeds used exclusively for PDMP development, implementation, and maintenance.

Who It Affects

• Licensed prescribers (medical, dental, podiatric, optometric, veterinary) and licensed assistants to physicians: subject to the $10 surcharge and allowed to access PDMP data under defined limits; not required to check the database before prescribing.
• Certifying boards and their authorized representatives: may access PDMP data limited to inquiries about licensees.
• Pharmacists: access PDMP data limited to information about the patient or prescribing practitioner on a given prescription; not required to check PDMP before dispensing.
• Law enforcement at state/local/federal levels: may access PDMP data with probable cause upon request.
• State agencies, the Department, and the State Board of Health: participate in operations and oversight of the PDMP; Board of Health sets access rules.
• Out-of-state prescription monitoring programs: may access Alabama's PDMP under rules recognized by national alliances and federal guidelines.

Key Provisions

• Creates and funds a controlled substances prescription database program and a separate Alabama State Controlled Substance Database Trust Fund to hold related money.
• Authorizes regulatory control and contracts for operating the database, including data receipt, input, and transmission; permits agreements with the State Board of Pharmacy for operational functions.
• Establishes the Controlled Substances Prescription Database Advisory Committee with broad professional representation and proxy designation rules; requires annual diversity reporting to the Legislature.
• Permits out-of-state PDMP access to Alabama's database under State Board of Health rules; includes access for multiple categories of users with defined limitations.
• Imposes a $10 annual surcharge on qualifying licenses and registrations to fund the PDMP, with funds dedicated solely to development, implementation, operation, and maintenance.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Controlled Substances