SB115 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Gerald H. AllenJimmy HolleyJerry L. FieldingClay ScofieldDel MarshTom WhatleyJ.T. WaggonerRusty GloverGreg J. Reed

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Controlled Substances Prescription Database, membership of advisory committee, meetings further provided for, transmittal of information on controlled substances prescriptions, confidentiality of records, funding of database, Secs. 20-2-212, 20-2-213, 20-2-214, 20-2-215, 20-2-219 am'd.

Summary

SB115 would expand Alabama's Controlled Substances Prescription Database program by broadening advisory committee membership, allowing teleconferenced meetings, clarifying data transmission and access rules, strengthening confidentiality, and establishing a dedicated funding mechanism.

What This Bill Does

It amends sections related to the Controlled Substances Prescription Database to expand the Advisory Committee’s membership and allow teleconference or video conference meetings. It clarifies how prescription information is transmitted and who may access the database, and sets confidentiality rules and penalties for non-compliance. It creates a dedicated funding mechanism, the Alabama State Controlled Substance Database Trust Fund, and requires the program to become operational within 12 months after funds are certified, with funds potentially coming from grants or other sources and remaining available for future years.

Who It Affects

• Professional associations (medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, optometric, hospital, podiatry) and state boards that participate in the advisory committee
• Licensed healthcare providers (physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, veterinarians) and licensed assistants who may access the database under defined conditions
• Licensed pharmacists who access information related to specific prescriptions being filled
• Law enforcement at state and federal levels with proper authorization
• State agencies (department, Board of Pharmacy, Medicaid Agency) and the department staff supporting the program
• Other states' Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs under inter-state access arrangements
• Entities that report controlled substance data (pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, and prescribing practitioners)

Key Provisions

• Creates and funds the Alabama State Controlled Substance Database and the dedicated trust fund (Alabama State Controlled Substance Database Trust Fund) to oversee development, implementation, and operation
• Authorizes the department to regulate the database, receive and use funds from grants, donations, and appropriations, and contract with the State Board of Pharmacy for operational tasks
• Establishes the Controlled Substances Prescription Database Advisory Committee with representation from multiple professional and state organizations and requires annual diversity reporting to the Legislature
• Allows committee meetings to be held via teleconference or video conference, with quorum and public listening/access
• Permits proxy designations for absent members with written, meeting-specific authorizations
• Details access rights to the database for various groups (practitioners, their staff, pharmacists, law enforcement, department staff, other states’ PDMPs, and Medicaid), with specific limitations
• Specifies the data elements to be transmitted (prescriber name, date filled, patient name and address, NDC, quantity, dispensing entity, payment method, and other standards) and the reporting requirements for reporting entities
• Imposes confidentiality and privilege protections for database information; not a public record and restricted to legally appropriate investigative or regulatory uses
• Sets a 12-month operational deadline after funds are certified for the department to implement the database

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