SB 444: Controlled dangerous substances; modifying and removing requirements and procedures related to destruction requiring compliance with federal regulation. Effective date. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the process for disposing of expired or unwanted controlled substances in Oklahoma. It aligns state procedures with federal regulations, clarifies who can submit drugs for destruction, and expands the ability for hospice programs to handle deceased patients' medications. The changes aim to streamline disposal, reduce liability for healthcare providers, and ensure compliance with federal standards.

Scope change

The bill broadens the scope of who can submit drugs for disposal to include ultimate users under specific federal conditions and hospice employees, while also clarifying the list of authorized recipients for submission.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the list of authorized recipients for drug submission to include registered retail pharmacies and hospitals with on-site pharmacies, in addition to reverse distributors and suppliers.

Removed the requirement for a specific destruction site and updated references to ensure compliance with current federal regulations (21 C.F.R. Part 1317).

ELIGIBILITY

Added a provision allowing 'ultimate users' (non-registered individuals) to deliver their own controlled substances to authorized persons for disposal under specific federal conditions.

Authorized employees of qualified hospice programs to handle and dispose of deceased patients' prescribed drugs without needing to be registered under state law.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'employee of a qualified hospice program' and 'qualified hospice program' to align with federal standards and state licensing requirements.

SB444 (3-10-26) (RADER) FS FA1.PDF → Floor (House) · 1 edit

MINOR

This bill converts a Senate substitute version of SB 444 into the official House floor version. The substantive policy content regarding drug destruction procedures remains identical; the changes are purely technical, updating the document header to reflect that it is now the 'Engrossed Senate Bill' as amended by the House.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header to change the title from 'FLOOR SUBSTITUTE' to 'ENGROSSED SENATE BILL' and reorganized the legislative session information to match the House floor format.

Enrolled (final version) → SB444 (3-10-26) (RADER) FS FA1.PDF · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill updates the formatting and layout of a drug destruction statute while retaining the core legal requirements for how controlled substances must be disposed of by registrants, medical examiners, and hospice programs.

TECHNICAL

Replaced the original 'Enrolled' header with a 'Floor Substitute' header and updated the legislative session details to reflect the 2026 session.

Reformatted the text of Sections 2-315 and 2-508 to align with new page layout standards, including the insertion of page numbers and margin references.

Corrected a minor typo in Section 2-315, changing the word 'submit' to 'destroy' in the opening sentence to ensure grammatical consistency with the rest of the section.

Engrossed → Enrolled (final version) · 3 edits · Apr 29, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized from its 'Engrossed' version to the 'Enrolled' version, which is the final text signed into law. The substantive content of the legislation regarding drug destruction remains consistent, but the final version added a specific subject line and a new definition for 'qualified hospice program' to ensure it meets state registration requirements.

Scope change

The scope of applicability for the hospice provision was narrowed by adding a requirement that the hospice program must be registered under the state's Section 2-302.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'qualified hospice program' requiring the program to be licensed under state law and registered under Section 2-302.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document status from 'Engrossed' (pending final approval) to 'Enrolled' (final version ready for signature).

Added a 'SUBJECT' line to the final version for administrative clarity.

Introduced → Engrossed · 6 edits · Mar 12, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates the rules for destroying expired or unwanted prescription drugs in Oklahoma. It expands the list of statutes being amended, clarifies that drugs must be destroyed rather than just disposed of, and adds specific requirements for hospice programs to handle deceased patients' medications.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly amends Section 2-508 regarding seized property, in addition to Section 2-315, broadening the legislative scope to cover both voluntary disposal and seizure scenarios.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the terminology from 'submit for destruction or disposal' to 'submit for destruction' to ensure a single, clear outcome for all submitted drugs.

Updated the list of authorized recipients for drug submission to include the 'Diversion Control Division' of the federal DEA, replacing the generic 'federal Drug Enforcement Administration office'.

Added explicit authorization for the Chief Medical Examiner to perform on-site incineration in compliance with federal regulations.

Clarified the role of hospice employees, specifying they can handle deceased patients' drugs without registration and must submit a sworn form witnessed by a second employee or family member.

DEFINITION

Added a formal definition for 'qualified hospice program' requiring both federal compliance and state licensing under the Oklahoma Hospice Licensing Act.

TECHNICAL

Updated statutory references to include Section 2-508 and refined the description of the bill's purpose in the preamble.

Controlled dangerous substances; modifying and removing requirements and procedures related to destruction requiring compliance with federal regulation. Effective date.

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