CD CORR-OPIOID USE DISORDERS

From the Legislature

Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill. Provides that the pilot program shall provide long-acting injectable medications for opioid use disorder, when clinically appropriate, to not fewer than 3,000 individuals in the custody of the Department of Corrections (rather than a minimum of 4,000 administrations of long-acting injectable medications for opioid use disorders). Provides that the Department shall design and operate the pilot program in accordance with established and nationally recognized clinical guidelines, protocols, and standards for the treatment of opioid use disorder using long-acting injectable medications. Provides that the pilot program shall be funded using opioid settlement funds allocated to the Department. Provides that the Department shall establish and publicly post eligibility criteria and a selection process for participation in the pilot program. Eligibility criteria shall be based on clinical need, medical appropriateness, and operational considerations, consistent with nationally recognized clinical guidelines. The Department shall ensure that participation in the pilot program is offered in an equitable and transparent manner across facilities. Provides that if the number of eligible individuals exceeds program capacity, the Department shall use a fair and objective selection methodology, which may include prioritization based on clinical need or a randomized selection process. Provides that the Department shall document the basis for inclusion or non-inclusion of eligible individuals and shall make aggregate information regarding eligibility and selection available to the General Assembly upon request. Provides that the Department shall not commence implementation of the pilot program unless and until sufficient opioid settlement funds have been secured to fully implement the program and to ensure that individuals participating in the pilot program may receive the full course of treatment clinically indicated. Provides that the Department shall ensure that, prior to the release of a person participating in the pilot program, the person is connected to an appropriate provider or treatment site in the geographic region in which the person will reside after release, that an appointment for continued treatment is scheduled with that provider or site, and that relevant medical and treatment information is shared with the receiving provider to support continuity of care. Provides that the Department shall contract with an independent research organization, public university, or other qualified third-party evaluator to conduct an independent evaluation of the pilot program. Provides that the Department shall provide the evaluator with access to relevant program and administrative data necessary to complete the evaluation, subject to applicable privacy protections. Provides that the independent evaluator shall prepare a report summarizing the findings of the evaluation and shall submit the report to the Department and the General Assembly no later than January 1, 2029 (rather than January 1, 2028). Deletes the immediate effective date of the bill.