By Randel Gibson, D.O.
President, Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure
The 2017 session of the Kentucky General Assembly has come to a close and the laws passed by legislators will soon take effect. The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure has been working to implement statutory changes from the session.
As in past years, one of the hot topics in the session has been the epidemic of opioid abuse in the Commonwealth. One of the bills that we have been monitoring is House Bill (HB) 333, filed by Rep. Kim Moser, which addresses a host of issues related to controlled substances focusing on penalties for trafficking fentanyl, carfentanil and fentanyl derivatives.
More importantly for physicians and to the Board, the bill amends KRS 218A.205 to require state licensing boards to promulgate regulations limiting prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances for acute pain to a three (3) day supply, with certain exceptions. It is important to note the bill does have several provisions for exceptions, such as prescribing to treat pain after a major surgery, and it also gives the Board some flexibility in drafting the regulation. The Board has been working on the required regulations to implement the statute.
Another bill the Board monitored was Senate Bill (SB) 146, sponsored by Sen. Julie Raque Adams, which creates new sections of KRS Chapter 311 to establish and administer the licensure of genetic counselors under the State Board of Medical Licensure.
This legislation, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Bevin, is similar to other allied health professions under the Board’s authority and it corresponds well to how the Board operates. According to the legislation, the Board will begin licensing genetic counselors beginning in 2018.
As always, the Board appreciates the assistance and support from the KMA.
If you have a question regarding a Board matter, please feel free to contact our office at (502) 429-7150.
