SB200 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald O. Dial
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, revise definitions, create a review committee, Secs. 20-2-211, 20-2-212, 20-2-214, 20-2-215 am'd.
Summary: SB 200 updates Alabama's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program by revising definitions, creating two oversight committees, and authorizing de-identified data releases under strict privacy rules.
What This Bill Does
It revamps the PDMP definitions and creates two committees: the Controlled Substances Prescription Database Advisory Committee and the Information Release Review Committee. The advisory committee helps guide how the database operates, who can access it, and how information is kept secure. The information release committee reviews requests to publish or share de-identified, aggregate data for statistics, research, or education. It authorizes the Department to run the database, manage funds through a dedicated trust fund, and set up data access rules and de-identification requirements for any public release.

Who It Affects
Healthcare providers and licensing/regulatory bodies (doctors, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners/midwives, and the boards that license them) gain defined access to PDMP data under specific limits to support patient care and regulation.
Researchers, educational institutions, and law enforcement/Medicaid staff can access de-identified data or PDMP information for enforcement, program integrity, or statistical studies under review and data-use agreements, via the information release process.

Key Provisions
Amends Sections 20-2-211, 20-2-212, 20-2-214, and 20-2-215 to revise definitions and add data-release provisions.
Creates the Controlled Substances Prescription Database Advisory Committee and the Information Release Review Committee, with specified membership and diversity requirements.
Establishes the Alabama State Controlled Substance Database Trust Fund to collect and manage funds for the database, with funding and budgeting rules.
Authorizes the Department to establish and operate the controlled substances prescription database and to contract with the State Board of Pharmacy for operational functions.
Specifies eligible data-access entities and roles (licensed practitioners, certifying boards, law enforcement, Medicaid, etc.) with defined limitations on data use.
Requires de-identification (per 45 C.F.R. §164.514(b)(2)) and a written data use agreement for any release of information.
Keeps the PDMP data confidential and privileged; not a public record; allows use for investigations, licensing/regulatory activities, informing practitioners, and approved statistical/research/educational purposes with proper de-identification.
Permits electronic handling of release requests and remote participation in committee meetings; allows sharing and processing of information electronically.
Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third 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: Prescription Drugs