HCS HB 1168 -- WELL-BEING COMMITTEE FOR IMPAIRED PHARMACISTS

SPONSOR:  Behnen (Tilley)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Professional Registration and Licensing by a vote of 13 to 0.

This substitute allows the Missouri State Board of Pharmacy to
establish the Well-being Committee to aid pharmacists who suffer
from illness, substance abuse, mental illness, or physical
impairments.  The board will enter into contractual agreements
with nonprofit corporations for the purpose of creating,
supporting, and maintaining the committee.  All communications
involving the licensee and the committee are confidential and not
considered public records.

The committee may disclose information about an impaired licensee
when it is necessary to further the intervention, treatment, or
rehabilitation of the licensee; the release is authorized by the
licensee; the committee must make a report to the board; or the
information is subject to a court order.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill allows licensees to be
deferred for treatment without retribution.  The bill will save
the board money and encourage personal responsibility for those
with substance abuse problems.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Tilley; Missouri
Pharmacy Association; Missouri Dental Association; Missouri State
Medical Association; and Missouri Recovery Network.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Bob Dominique, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:42 am