SB 353 - This act requires certain health care practitioners, prior to issuing an initial prescription for an opioid controlled substance and prior to issuing a third prescription of such opioid in a course of treatment, to consult with the patient, or patient's parent or guardian, of the risks associated with the prescribed opioid, including the risks of addiction and overdose; the dangers of taking opioid drugs with alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other central nervous system depressants that may result in fatal respiratory depression; and alternative treatments that may be available. The practitioner shall document the discussion with the patient, or patient's parent or guardian, in the patient's medical record. Violations of this act may result in disciplinary action by the practitioner's professional licensing board or action against the practitioner's Department of Health and Senior Services' controlled substance registrant status. The provisions of this act shall not apply to patients undergoing treatment for cancer, in hospice or palliative care, in a long-term care facility, or receiving treatment for substance abuse or opioid dependence.SARAH HASKINS