Amendments for SB23-144
Senate Journal, March 3
After consideration on the merits, the Committee recommends that SB23-144 be amended
as follows, and as so amended, be referred to the Committee of the Whole with favorable
recommendation.
Amend printed bill page 2, strike lines 9 through 13 and substitute:
"(b) (I) "CHRONIC PAIN" MEANS A PAIN THAT TYPICALLY LASTS THREE
MONTHS OR LONGER AND MAY BE THE RESULT OF AN UNDERLYING MEDICAL
DISEASE OR CONDITION, INJURY, MEDICAL TREATMENT, INFLAMMATION, OR
UNKNOWN CAUSE. "CHRONIC PAIN" IS A PAIN STATE IN WHICH THE CAUSE OF THE
PAIN OFTEN CANNOT BE REMOVED WITH REASONABLE MEDICAL EFFORTS AT THE
CONSENT OF THE PATIENT, OR PAIN FOR WHICH NO CURE CAN BE FOUND AFTER
REASONABLE MEDICAL EFFORTS. CHRONIC PAIN MAY RESTRICT THE ABILITY OF
INDIVIDUALS TO WORK, CARE FOR THEMSELVES, AND ENGAGE IN BASIC LIFE,
SOCIAL, AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES.".
Page 3, strike lines 19 through 24.
Reletter succeeding paragraphs accordingly.
Page 5, line 4, strike "THE CURRENT STANDARD OF CARE." and substitute
"LEGITIMATE MEDICAL PURPOSE IN THE USUAL COURSE OF PROFESSIONAL
PRACTICE.".
Page 5, strike lines 12 through 27.
Page 6, strike line 1 and substitute:
"(c) A HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER TREATING A PATIENT WITH CHRONIC
PAIN BY PRESCRIBING, DISPENSING, OR ADMINISTERING ONE OR MORE SCHEDULE
II, III, IV, OR V CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES THAT INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED
TO, OPIOID ANALGESICS SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO TAPER A PATIENT'S
MEDICATION DOSAGE SOLELY TO MEET A PREDETERMINED MORPHINE
MILLIGRAM EQUIVALENT DOSAGE RECOMMENDATION OR THRESHOLD IF THE
PATIENT IS STABLE AND COMPLIANT WITH THE TREATMENT PLAN AND IS NOT
EXPERIENCING SERIOUS HARM FROM THE LEVEL OF MEDICATION CURRENTLY
BEING PRESCRIBED OR PREVIOUSLY PRESCRIBED. A DECISION TO TAPER OR
MAINTAIN MEDICATION MUST INCLUDE AN INDIVIDUALIZED ASSESSMENT OF THE
PATIENT'S CURRENT MEDICAL CONDITION AND TREATMENT PLAN, THE RISKS AND
BENEFITS OF MAINTAINING OR TAPERING THE PATIENT'S MEDICATION, AND A
DISCUSSION WITH THE PATIENT.".
Reletter succeeding paragraphs accordingly.
Page 6, strike line 2 and substitute:
"(c) (I) A CARRIER".
Page 6, line 5, after "SOLELY" insert "BECAUSE THE PRESCRIPTION IS FOR AN
OPIATE OR".
Page 6, after line 7, insert:
"(II) A HEALTH-CARE PRACTICE OR CLINIC IN WHICH A HEALTH-CARE
PROVIDER IS AUTHORIZED TO PRESCRIBE SCHEDULE II, III, IV, OR V CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCES SHALL NOT HAVE A POLICY IN PLACE THAT REQUIRES THE
HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER TO REFUSE TO PRESCRIBE, ADMINISTER, OR DISPENSE
A PRESCRIPTION FOR AN OPIATE SOLELY BECAUSE THE PRESCRIPTION EXCEEDS
A PREDETERMINED MORPHINE MILLIGRAM EQUIVALENT DOSAGE
RECOMMENDATION OR THRESHOLD.".
Senate Journal, March 7
SB23-144 by Senator(s) Ginal, Marchman; also Representative(s) Mabrey--Concerning prescription
drugs for the treatment of chronic pain.
Amendment No. 1, Health & Human Services Committee Amendment.
(Printed in Senate Journal, March 3, page(s) 355-356 and placed in members' bill files.)
Amendment No. 2(L.010), by Senator Smallwood.
Amend the Health and Human Services Committee Report, dated March 2,
2023, page 2, strike lines 13 and 14 and substitute:
"Page 6, strike lines 2 and 3 and substitute:
"(d) (I) A PHARMACY, CARRIER, OR PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGER
SHALL NOT HAVE A POLICY IN PLACE THAT REQUIRES THE PHARMACIST TO
REFUSE TO FILL A PRESCRIPTION FOR AN OPIATE ISSUED BY A".".
As amended, ordered engrossed and placed on the calendar for third reading and final
passage.
House Journal, April 12
19 Amend reengrossed bill, page 6, line 22, before "THIS" insert "(a)".
20
21 Page 6, line 23, strike "(a)" and substitute "(I)".
22
23 Page 6, line 26, strike "(b)" and substitute "(II)".
24
25 Page 7, line 3, strike "(c)" and substitute "(III)".
26
27 Page 7, line 6, strike "(d)" and substitute "(IV)".
28
29 Page 7, after line 9 insert:
30
31 "(b) THIS SECTION DOES NOT LIMIT THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF
32 THE COLORADO MEDICAL BOARD PURSUANT TO SECTION 12-240-106 OR
33 THE STATE BOARD OF NURSING PURSUANT TO SECTION 12-255-107.".
34
35 As amended, ordered revised and placed on the Calendar for Third
36 Reading and Final Passage.