SB 1318: EMS agencies; Bd. of Pharmacy shall report on progress in response to changes in federal law. - Virginia

Governor Substitute → Chaptered · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was converted from a Senate Substitute version to a Chaptered (enacted) version, meaning it has been signed into law. The substantive policy content remains identical - both versions require the Virginia Board of Pharmacy to report on how emergency medical services agencies are responding to federal drug security laws. The main changes are formatting and structural elements typical of the legislative process, such as adding chapter numbers, approval dates, and session identifiers.

Scope change

No substantive scope change - the bill's requirements for reporting on EMS agency compliance with federal drug security laws remain the same in both versions.

TECHNICAL

Added chapter number (Chapter 624) and approval date (April 2, 2025) indicating the bill has been enacted into law

Changed session designation from '2025 SESSION' to '2025 RECONVENED SESSION'

Changed document type from 'SENATE SUBSTITUTE' to standard enacted bill format

Removed amendment tracking numbers and substitute-specific identifiers

Delegate Sickles Substitute → Governor Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill changed from requiring the Board of Pharmacy to convene a work group to advise on EMS provider issues, to requiring the Board to submit a report on EMS agencies' progress in responding to specific federal drug security laws. This shifts the focus from advisory discussions to a formal reporting requirement with specific federal compliance topics.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from establishing an advisory work group to requiring a formal report on federal compliance progress

REQUIREMENT

Removed requirement to convene a six-member work group to advise on EMS provider issues

Added requirement for Board of Pharmacy to report on EMS agencies' progress in responding to federal Drug Supply Chain Security Act and Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act

TIMELINE

Added deadline of November 1, 2025 for submitting the report to Governor, Secretary of Health and Human Resources, and legislative committee chairs

Removed expiration date of June 30, 2027 for the original work group requirement

SCOPE

Changed bill purpose from general EMS provider advisory work group to specific federal law compliance reporting

Health and Human Services Substitute → Delegate Sickles Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was rewritten from a House Substitute to a Delegate Sickles Substitute, shifting the focus from authorizing EMS agencies to obtain controlled substance registrations to establishing a work group to advise the Board of Pharmacy on EMS provider issues. The new version adds a sunset provision expiring on June 30, 2027, and specifies the work group composition and meeting requirements.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from regulating controlled substance storage and registration for EMS agencies to creating an advisory work group focused on broader EMS provider issues.

REQUIREMENT

Removed language authorizing EMS agencies and regional councils to obtain controlled substance registrations and specifying storage requirements for automated dispensing devices.

Added requirement for the Board of Pharmacy to convene a six-member work group (three appointed by Board of Health, three from the Board) to advise on EMS provider issues.

TIMELINE

Added expiration date of June 30, 2027 for the provisions of the act.

TECHNICAL

Changed bill type from House Substitute to Floor Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute, with updated bill number and delegate name.

Health and Human Services Subcommittee Substitute → Health and Human Services Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was updated from a House Committee substitute to a Health and Human Services Substitute version, with the date changed from February 11, 2025 to February 13, 2025. The substantive policy content regarding pharmacy board regulations for emergency medical services remains unchanged, though the formatting and line numbering were restructured.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; only procedural formatting and date updates.

TIMELINE

The offered for consideration date was updated from February 11, 2025 to February 13, 2025.

TECHNICAL

The document was reformatted with added line numbers and spacing, changing from a compact format to a structured layout with numbered sections.

The original compact formatting without line numbers was removed in favor of the new structured layout.

Reenrolled → Health and Human Services Subcommittee Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was converted from a reenrolled version to a House Committee substitute amendment, which significantly changed the legislative content. The original bill required the Board of Pharmacy to submit a report on EMS agencies' compliance with federal drug security laws, while the substitute version directs the Board to promulgate regulations allowing EMS agencies and councils to obtain controlled substance registrations and store medications in automated dispensing devices under specific security conditions. This represents a shift from a reporting requirement to an active regulatory change affecting how emergency medical services handle controlled substances.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a reporting requirement to active regulation of controlled substance storage and registration for EMS agencies and councils.

REQUIREMENT

Removed requirement for Board of Pharmacy to submit a report on EMS agencies' progress with federal Drug Supply Chain Security Act and Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act compliance by November 1, 2025.

Added directive for Board of Pharmacy to promulgate regulations authorizing EMS agencies and regional EMS councils to obtain controlled substance registrations under specific Virginia Administrative Code sections.

Added new provision allowing properly registered fire stations or EMS stations that are fully staffed to store controlled substances in automated dispensing devices in locked rooms with access control and camera monitoring without requiring third-party security systems.

TECHNICAL

Changed document format from Reenrolled Act to House Committee Substitute Amendment with different header information and line numbering.

Enrolled → Reenrolled · 5 edits · Apr 2, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was reenrolled with significant substantive changes. The original version required the Board of Pharmacy to convene a work group to advise on EMS provider issues. The reenrolled version instead requires the Board to report on EMS agencies' progress in responding to federal drug security laws, with specific reporting deadlines and recipients.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from creating an advisory work group to requiring a formal progress report on federal compliance by EMS agencies.

REQUIREMENT

Replaced the requirement to convene a six-member work group with a requirement to submit a progress report on EMS agencies' response to federal drug security laws.

Added specific federal laws that must be addressed in the report: the federal Drug Supply Chain Security Act and the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act.

Added requirement for collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health and the Office of Emergency Medical Services.

Changed reporting recipients from unspecified to specific state and legislative officials including the Governor, Secretary of Health and Human Resources, and committee chairmen.

TIMELINE

Changed the expiration date from June 30, 2027 to a specific reporting deadline of November 1, 2025.

Engrossed → Enrolled · 4 edits · Apr 2, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was changed from directing the Board of Pharmacy to create regulations allowing EMS agencies to obtain controlled substance registrations to instead requiring the Board to convene a work group to study issues related to EMS providers. The original emergency dispensing authority was removed entirely, and a sunset provision was added with the work group required to report by June 30, 2027.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from immediate regulatory action on controlled substance access for EMS agencies to establishing a temporary advisory work group to study EMS provider issues.

REQUIREMENT

Removed authority for the Board of Pharmacy to issue controlled substance registrations to EMS agencies and regional EMS councils for receiving Schedule II-VI substances.

Added requirement for the Board of Pharmacy to convene a six-member work group (three appointed by Board of Health, three from Board) to advise on EMS provider issues.

TIMELINE

Added sunset provision requiring the work group to conclude by June 30, 2027.

SCOPE

Changed bill purpose from implementing controlled substance dispensing regulations to establishing an advisory work group for EMS provider issues.

Introduced → Engrossed · 4 edits · Mar 7, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was amended to allow emergency medical services agencies and councils to obtain controlled substance registrations for receiving Schedule II-VI medications. The amendments modified storage location options to include both fire stations and EMS stations, and added specific qualification requirements for volunteer fire/EMS members to be active advanced EMT providers.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include properly registered EMS stations as storage locations in addition to fire stations, and clarified member qualifications for volunteer fire/EMS representatives.

REQUIREMENT

Added EMS stations as an alternative location alongside fire stations for storing controlled substances under the new registration program

ELIGIBILITY

Added requirement that volunteer fire/EMS members must be active advanced EMT providers

TECHNICAL

Changed patron designation from 'McPike' to 'Senator McPike' to reflect Senate sponsorship status

Updated bill status from 'Introduced' to 'Engrossed' with Senate amendments dated February 3, 2025

EMS agencies; Bd. of Pharmacy shall report on progress in response to changes in federal law.

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