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2018 SB 172: An Act Concerning Access To Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder In Correctional Facilities.

Bill Text

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2018) (a) On or before January 1, 2019, the Department of Correction, in consultation with the Departments of Public Health and Mental Health and Addiction Services, shall establish a medication-assisted treatment program in correctional facilities for inmates with opioid use disorder. During the first year of operation, at least five correctional facilities shall participate in the program. During the second year of operation, at least thirty per cent of all inmates in correctional facilities shall have access to the program. During the third year of operation, at least sixty per cent of all inmates in correctional facilities shall have access to the program. During the fourth year and for each subsequent year of operation, one hundred per cent of all inmates in correctional facilities shall have access to the program.

(b) Correctional facilities that participate in the program shall (1) establish procedures that enable qualified correctional staff to dispense and administer all drugs approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for use in medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder, and (2) make such treatment available under the program to any inmate for whom such treatment is found to be appropriate by a qualified, licensed health care provider. The program shall ensure that an inmate who has been receiving medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder immediately preceding the inmate's incarceration shall continue such treatment while incarcerated unless the inmate voluntarily discontinues such treatment or a qualified, licensed health care provider determines that such treatment is no longer appropriate. To the extent practicable, the Department of Correction shall prioritize placement of inmates who have been receiving medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder immediately preceding their incarceration in a correctional facility that provides access to the program.

(c) Not later than November 1, 2019, and annually thereafter until November 1, 2023, the Commissioner of Correction shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health and the judiciary:

(1) The cost of the program in the prior year;

(2) The projected cost associated with expanding the program to additional correctional facilities for the following year;

(3) A summary of changes to correctional facility practices related to implementation of the program;

(4) The type and prevalence of medication-assisted treatment provided under the program; and

(5) The number of inmates who (A) received medication-assisted treatment under the program, (B) voluntarily discontinued medication-assisted treatment, and (C) requested but did not receive medication-assisted treatment.

Behind the Bill