HB47 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris EnglandRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Crimes and offenses, controlled substances, distribution for a medical purpose, further provided, Secs. 20-2-58, 20-2-71 am'd.

Summary

HB 47 would require that all Schedule II–V controlled substances be dispensed only for legitimate medical purposes with a prescription, tighten the crime definition for unlawful dispensing, and address how it interacts with Alabama's local-funding constitutional rule.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, pharmacists and pharmacies would be required to dispense Schedule II–V drugs only for legitimate medical purposes under a practitioner’s prescription. The crime of unlawfully distributing or dispensing a controlled substance would require the actor to act knowingly or intentionally. The bill also discusses how it interacts with Amendment 621 (local-funding rules), noting it is exempt from those voting requirements because it defines a new crime. It becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Pharmacists, pharmacies, and other licensed distributors of controlled substances: must ensure dispensing is for legitimate medical purposes and accompanied by an appropriate prescription; may face updated crime elements and recordkeeping requirements.
• Patients and healthcare providers who prescribe or receive Schedule II–V medications: their access to these drugs would be conditioned on a valid prescription for a legitimate medical purpose; emergency dispensing rules for certain situations remain in place.

Key Provisions

• Schedules II–V controlled substances may only be dispensed or distributed for a legitimate medical purpose pursuant to a prescription by a practitioner.
• The crime of unlawfully distributing or dispensing a controlled substance is amended to require that the actor acts knowingly or intentionally.
• The bill clarifies prescription handling and recordkeeping provisions for controlled substances (prescribing, transmission by fax in certain scenarios, and maintenance of records).
• The bill acknowledges local-funding implications under Amendment 621 but states it is exempt from those requirements because it defines a new crime; it becomes effective immediately upon the governor's 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

Physicians