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March 10, 2008 issue
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
BILL: SB 157 – Opioid Treatment Programs
AUTHOR: Sen. Patricia Miller, R-Indianapolis
SPONSOR: Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary
ISMA POSITION: Support
THIS WEEK: SB 157 was heard in conference committee and changes are being made to the current version.
While the bill was in the House, it was amended to include language that would establish a public umbilical cord blood bank. That issue has been discussed in other bills this session and is still alive in HB 1172. Therefore, the language in SB 157 regarding the umbilical cord blood bank is being removed.
The underlying bill would require more stringent regulatory standards for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in Indiana than those required at the federal level.
The ISMA is supportive of this move due to a resolution adopted at the 2007 ISMA House of Delegates.
At the ISMA’s request, the bill also will require development of standards for OTPs regarding the tapering of patients on and off of an opioid treatment medication.
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