Report Title:

Prescription Drugs; Electronic Prescriptions; Task Force

Description:

Establishes the electronic prescription task force to develop a plan to implement a mandatory electronic prescription drug program not later than 7/1/11.  Requires report to legislature prior to the 2010 legislature.  (SD1)

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	568
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO ELECTRONIC PRESCRIPTIONS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Electronic prescription drug program task force; establishment; membership; compensation; duties.  (a)  There is established the electronic prescription drug program task force within the department of health for administrative purposes to develop a plan to establish and implement, by July 1, 2011, the mandatory use of an electronic prescription drug program by pharmacists, physicians, and others authorized to prescribe or dispense prescription drugs in the State.

     (b)  Task force members shall be appointed by the governor without regard to section 26-34, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     (c)  The task force shall consist of one representative of each of the following:

     (1)  The department of health;

     (2)  The department of commerce and consumer affairs;

     (3)  Pharmacies;

     (4)  Physicians licensed under chapter 453, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (5)  Dentists;

     (6)  Physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses who have prescriptive authority;

     (7)  A representative from a local health plan;

     (8)  A local representative of the pharmaceutical industry; and

     (9)  Other state agencies and interested stakeholders, as deemed appropriate by the director of health or the director's designee.

     (d)  Task force members shall select the chairperson of the task force from among themselves and shall not receive compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in carrying out their duties.

     (e)  In developing the plan to facilitate the mandatory use of an electronic prescription drug program, the task force shall review:

     (1)  Other states' use of electronic prescribing programs, including a review of Minnesota's e-prescribing mandate effective January 1, 2011;

     (2)  Information on e-prescribing from medical associations including the American Academy of Family Physicians and American Academy of Pediatrics; and

     (3)  Information or guidelines related to electronic prescriptions for medicare patients.

     (f)  The task force shall submit a report, including findings, recommendations, and any necessary proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2010.

     (g)  The task force shall convene its first meeting no later than August 1, 2009, and shall cease to exist on December 31, 2010.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.