HB307 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ron Johnson

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Greg Wren

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Nurses, certified nurse practioners and nurse midwives, Board of Medical Examiners authorized to create Limited Purpose Schedule II permits authorizing the prescribing of certain controlled substances, Secs. 20-2-250 to 20-2-260, inclusive, added; Secs. 20-2-214, 20-2-217 am'd.

Summary

HB307 would let CRNPs and CNMs prescribe certain controlled substances with a QACSC, create a Limited Purpose Schedule II Permit for assistants, and update prescription database rules and funding.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes CRNPs and CNMs to prescribe controlled substances listed in schedules III–V (and, under future LPSP rules, limited Schedule II substances) when they hold a Qualified Alabama Controlled Substances Registration Certificate (QACSC) and operate under collaborative practice with a physician. It designates the Board of Medical Examiners as the certifying body for QACSCs, establishes an advisory committee, and requires a formulary approved by a joint practice committee. It sets requirements to obtain a QACSC (including pharmacology training and 12+ months of active practice), outlines grounds for denial or suspension, provides an appeals process, allows rulemaking, grants certain immunities, and creates an LPSP for limited Schedule II prescribing by assistants. It also updates access to the controlled substances prescription database and adds a $10 annual surcharge to fund the database, with the new LPSP and database rules taking effect after a set period following passage.

Who It Affects

• Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs) and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) who want to prescribe controlled substances and must obtain a QACSC.
• Patients of CRNPs and CNMs, who may receive prescriptions for controlled substances under the QACSC framework.
• Physicians who supervise CRNPs/CNMs under collaborative practice agreements and potential assistants who may use the Limited Purpose Schedule II Permit (LPSP).
• The Board of Medical Examiners (as certifying body) and the Alabama Board of Nursing (licensing/disciplines for CRNPs/CNMs), plus the joint practice committee and advisory committee involved in rules and formularies.
• Pharmacists and law enforcement or regulatory bodies that access the controlled substances database under the amended rules.

Key Provisions

• Adds Article 11 (Sections 20-2-250 to 20-2-259) to authorize prescribing of certain controlled substances by CRNPs and CNMs with a QACSC and collaborative practice.
• Defines key terms (administer, CNM, CRNP, prescriber, QACSC, etc.) and establishes a process for issuing and renewing QACSCs with board regulation and hearings.
• Allows the Board of Medical Examiners to establish a formulary and related protocols, with advisory committee input; formulary approved by the joint practice committee but not treated as a rule under the Administrative Procedure Act.
• Requires specific qualifications to obtain a QACSC (pharmacology course, 12+ months of active practice under collaboration, etc.) and outlines grounds for denial or suspension, plus an appeals process.
• Formalizes an immunity provision for board members and staff involved in investigations or hearings related to QACSCs.
• Creates Article 12 (Section 20-2-260) for a Limited Purpose Schedule II Permit (LPSP) to allow limited Schedule II prescribing/dispensing by assistants under board rules and with restricted scope.
• Limits on LPSP use (no stockpiling of controlled substances, no self-prescribing, restricted to specific circumstances/drugs), and supervisory/discretionary conditions by the board.
• Amends 20-2-214 and 20-2-217 to broaden database access for CRNPs/CNMs with QACSCs and to impose a $10 yearly surcharge on each QACSC and related certificates to fund the prescription database.
• Requires the board to notify DEA and the Alabama Board of Nursing about QACSC suspensions or revocations and designates process for administrative review and immediate effect of certain orders.
• Effective date set as the first day of the fifth month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Medical Examiners, State Board of