HCS HB 635 -- HEPATITIS IMMUNIZATIONS; CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

Hepatitis B immunizations and educational materials will be
offered to state employees who are at occupational risk of
contraction of hepatitis B as defined by the federal
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

This bill also makes the following changes to the controlled
substances law.  The bill:

(1) Updates the listing of Schedule I, controlled substances,
by: adding alpha-ethyltryptamine, a hallucinogenic that affects
the central nervous system; adding 4-bromo-2, 5--
dimethoxyphenethylamine, aminorex, and methcathinone, which are
substances similar to amphetamines; deleting dihydrocodeinone
and adding hydrocodone, which is the current recognized name for
dihydrocodeinone;

(2)  Defines "controlled substance analogues" by adding language
which addresses the treatment of them, as was done in federal
law;

(3)  Clarifies the definition of an "agent or employee" who is
not required to register with the Department of Health for
controlled substance registration;

(4)  Allows the Department of Health to suspend or revoke a
controlled substance registration if the registrant's
professional license was suspended or revoked by another
licensing board;

(5)  Defines any restriction of a Missouri Controlled Substances
Registration as "probation";

(6)  Provides for "Good Faith" reporting.  Any entity that
supplies information to the department in good faith will not be
the subject of a civil suit as a result thereof;

(7)  Allows prescriptions to be transmitted or communicated from
practitioners to pharmacists by means other than in writing or
orally;

(8)  Mandates a 6 month expiration date for any prescription for
a controlled substance medication;

(9)  Prohibits the advertisement of any controlled substance for
use or sale;

(10)  Prohibits a doctor from prescribing or dispensing
controlled substances to themselves except in a medical
emergency;

(11)  Makes the dispensing limitation, 3 months, consistent on
all controlled substance prescriptions;

(12)  Allows the partial filling of a Schedule II prescription;

(13)  Eliminates the duty of the Department of Health to
eradicate "marijuana fields";

(14)  Adds new federal "Listed Chemicals" identified as used in
clandestine laboratories;

(15)  Makes the administrative process for "Listed Chemical
Registrations" the same as controlled substance registrations;

(16)  Makes the theft of any controlled substance a class C
felony; and

(17)  Updates antiquated definitions by deleting apothecary,
changing bureau and hospital definitions, and adding a
definition for pharmacist.

HCS HB 635 -- HEPATITIS IMMUNIZATIONS FOR STATE EMPLOYEES
(Kennedy)

Hepatitis B immunizations will be offered to all state employees
at risk for contraction of hepatitis B, as defined by the
federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Materials
will be made available to these employees to prevent exposure to
or transmission of hepatitis B and to educate on responses to
exposure.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of
$94,060 for FY 1998, $25,662 for FY 1999, and $25,790 for FY
2000.

HCS HB 635  -- HEPATITIS IMMUNIZATIONS

CO-SPONSORS:  Bland (Kennedy)

COMMITTEE ACTION:   Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Public
Health & Safety by a vote of 10 to 3 with 1 present.

Hepatitis B immunizations will be offered to all state employees
at risk for contraction of hepatitis B, as defined by the
federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Materials
will be made available to these employees to prevent exposure to
or transmission of hepatitis B and to educate on responses to
exposure.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of
$94,060 for FY 1998, $25,662 for FY 1999, and $25,790 for FY
2000.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the state should protect those
state employees at risk from exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
All private employees do this.  Missouri has no Occupational
Safety and Health plans. A vaccine is a safe preventative
measure.  It is a good risk management tool.  Bloodborne
pathogens are 100 times more infectious than HIV.  The
Occupational Safety and Health plans have developed a standard
to provided materials to determine whether there are at risk
employees.  Notice and educational information may be given out.
The immunization takes the form of 3 shots.  Each department
would determine its needs for the immunization and the method of
administering the vaccination.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Kennedy and
Hollingsworth; and Missouri State Highway Patrol.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Harolyn Light, Research Analyst

HB 635 -- Hepatitis Immunizations for State Employees

Co-Sponsors:  Kennedy, Hollingsworth

Hepatitis B immunizations will be offered to all state employees
at risk for contraction of hepatitis B, as defined by the
federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Materials
will be made available to these employees to prevent exposure to
or transmission of hepatitis B and to educate on responses to
exposure.