Revises certain requirements for prescription of Schedule II controlled dangerous substances via telemedicine and telehealth without in-person examination or review.*
What changed between versions
The default rule for Schedule II prescriptions via telemedicine was reversed: the introduced bill removed the in-person requirement entirely, while the substitute requires an initial in-person examination and a subsequent in-person visit every three months for the duration of the prescription.
A new paragraph (4) creates a specific framework for adult stimulant prescriptions via telemedicine: the initial exam may be remote, but if so, an in-person visit is required within 30 days. Thereafter, a contact (in-person or remote) is needed every three months and at least one in-person visit annually.
A new paragraph (5) establishes that all Schedule II telemedicine prescriptions must use interactive real-time two-way audio and visual technologies and must meet the same standard of care as in-person settings, consistent with state and federal law.
Three new exceptions were added where the in-person requirement does not apply: (a) patients in active cancer treatment, receiving hospice or palliative care, or residing in long-term care facilities; (b) patients undergoing evaluation or treatment related to medical aid in dying under P.L.2019, c.59; and (c) medications prescribed for substance use disorder treatment.
The exception for minors receiving stimulant prescriptions was modified: the requirement that the provider be using interactive real-time two-way audio and video at the time of treatment was removed from this specific paragraph (though it is still required generally by new paragraph 5). The written parental consent requirement remains.
The bill was combined with S4210, indicating related legislative work was merged into a single vehicle.
