UPDATE OPIOID ABATEMENT TREATMENT PROG. RULES.

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View NCGA Bill Details(link is external)2025-2026 Session
House Bill 681 (Public) Filed Tuesday, April 1, 2025
AN ACT DIRECTING THE COMMISSION FOR MENTAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES TO AMEND THE RULES REGARDING OUTPATIENT OPIOID TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR GREATER CONSISTENCY WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS.
Intro. by Crawford, Reeder, Chesser.
Status: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action) (May 1 2025)

Bill History:

H 681

Bill Summaries:

  • Bill H 681 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: Apr 29 2025 - View Summary

    House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

    Eliminates the directive in Section 1.(a) for the Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (Commission) to amend the specified rules to remove the requirement for observed urine drug screening and renumbers the directives accordingly.

    Amends Section 1.(a) to specify that the Commission must amend the specified rules to allow OTPs to administer methadone to patients who are not enrolled with the OTPs, but who can be verified as enrolled in another OTP by contacting the patient’s home OTP or other means established by the Commission.

    Moves forward the date when the Commission must publish the text of its proposed rules in Section 1.(c) from July 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026.

    Health and Human Services, Health, Health Care Facilities and Providers, Mental Health
    UNCODIFIED
  • Bill H 681 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: Apr 3 2025 - View Summary

    Directs the Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (Commission) to amend the rules applicable to outpatient opioid treatment programs, as specified, to be more consistent with the federal regulations governing medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

    Mandates that the Commission’s changes must include (1) removing the patient eligibility criteria of a stable home environment and social relationships, (2) explicitly prohibiting discharge from treatment due to continued substance use, missed doses, and nonparticipation in ancillary services like counseling, (3) removing structured counseling session schedules, (4) reducing the number of drug tests, (5) removing the requirement for observed urine testing, and (6) explicitly permitting opioid treatment programs to administer methadone to patients who are not enrolled with the program.

    Specifies that the Commission must engage with current and former treatment program clients and providers for input on how to align requirements with the federal regulations and improve patient care.

    Requires the Commission to publish proposed text of amended rules by July 1, 2025.

    Health and Human Services, Health, Health Care Facilities and Providers, Mental Health
    UNCODIFIED
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