SB86 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew JonesSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Opioids, boards certifying prescribing, opiate risk education required

Summary

The bill would require Alabama boards that certify prescribers to adopt rules that include educating patients about opiate risks when opioids are prescribed.

What This Bill Does

It would require each controlled substances certifying board to adopt rules aimed at reducing abuse and diversion of these drugs, including opiate risk education delivered by the prescribing practitioner. The education would cover addiction and overdose risks, why the prescription is necessary, available alternatives, and the dangers of mixing opioids with alcohol or other depressants. Practitioners may require a written acknowledgement from patients or parents/guardians of minors that they understand the risks, and boards must provide a sample acknowledgement form on their website; boards may develop opiate risk education protocols. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and does not require keeping written records of the education, nor does it change medical liability rules.

Who It Affects

• Practitioners certified to prescribe controlled substances would need to implement opiate risk education as part of their patient interactions.
• Patients receiving opioid prescriptions (and parents/guardians of patients under 18) may be asked to acknowledge understanding of the risks.

Key Provisions

• Boards must adopt rules for mitigating abuse and diversion that include opiate risk education.
• Opiate risk education must cover addiction/overdose risks, why the prescription is necessary, available alternatives, and risks of mixing opioids with alcohol or other depressants.
• Practitioners may require written acknowledgement from patients or guardians; boards must provide a sample form on their website.
• The act does not create medical practice standards or modify liability law; no written records of education are required.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health