S.B. No. 316
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to continuing education for pharmacists regarding drug
  abuse and opioid drugs and an interim study regarding opioid abuse.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 559, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 559.0525 to read as follows:
         Sec. 559.0525.  CONTINUING EDUCATION RELATING TO OPIOID
  DRUGS. (a)  The board shall develop a continuing education program
  regarding opioid drug abuse and the delivery, dispensing, and
  provision of tamper-resistant opioid drugs after considering input
  from interested persons.
         (b)  The board by rule may require a license holder to
  satisfy a number of the continuing education hours required by
  Section 559.053 through attendance of a program developed under
  this section.
         SECTION 2.  (a)  The standing committee of the senate that
  has primary jurisdiction over health and human services shall
  conduct an interim study regarding opioid abuse and the provision
  of tamper-resistant opioids.
         (b)  The committee may establish appropriate criteria for
  the study to accomplish the study's purpose.  The study must include
  an examination of:
               (1)  matters relating to prescription opioid abuse; and
               (2)  the use and effectiveness of tamper-resistant
  opioids.
         (c)  Not later than December 1, 2014, the committee shall
  submit a report of the committee's findings and recommendations to
  the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of
  representatives for consideration by the 84th Legislature. The
  committee shall include in its report the results of the study
  conducted under this section and the committee's recommendations
  for specific statutory changes, if any.
         (d)  This section expires September 1, 2015.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 316 passed the Senate on
  April 25, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 316 passed the House on
  May 22, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 140, Nays 8, two
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor