HB 738 – Opioid Prescription & Treatment Opt Out Act
Primary Sponsors: Rep. Mary Belk (D – Mecklenburg), Rep. Donna White (R – Johnston), Rep. Josh Dobson (R – McDowell), Rep. Carla Cunningham (D – Mecklenburg)
This bill would establish the right of patients to elect nonopioid prescriptions and treatment. This bill would establish a process where patients could opt out of opioid prescriptions and treatment. The bill would also require the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services to develop an opioid prescription and treatment opt-out form and make the form available for physicians and patients on the Department’s website.
The bill clarifies that no physician, medical professional, hospice provider or other health care provider would be subject to criminal prosecution, civil liability or disciplinary action by any licensing or certification agency for withholding opioid prescriptions and treatment.
This bill has been referred to the House Health Committee. If it is found favorable there, it will move to the House Judiciary Committee.
