HB 584 — AN ACT relating to licensees authorized to prescribe or dispense controlled substances.

Summary

Amend KRS 218A.205 to remove the requirement of a permanent licensure ban on licensees and applicants convicted of a felony offense regarding prescribing or dispensing a controlled substance; make technical corrections.

Bill Text

Compared against the Kentucky Revised Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies KRS 218A.205 to introduce new standards and procedures for licensees authorized to prescribe or dispense controlled substances, including considerations for Schedule III drugs and enhanced complaint and disciplinary procedures.

• KRS 218A.205

  and which may include the exemptions authorized by KRS 218A.172(4); → and Schedule III controlled substances containing hydrocodone under KRS 218A.172 and which may include the exemptions authorized by KRS 218A.172(4);

  This change broadens the scope of mandatory prescribing standards to include Schedule III controlled substances containing hydrocodone.

• KRS 218A.205

  A procedure for the expedited review of complaints filed against their licensees pertaining to the improper, inappropriate, or illegal prescribing or dispensing of controlled substances that is designed to commence an investigation within seven (7) days of a complaint being filed and produce a charging decision by the board on the complaint within one hundred twenty (120) days of the receipt of the complaint, unless an extension for a definite period of time is requested by a law enforcement agency due to an ongoing criminal investigation;

  This adds a new requirement for expedited review of complaints against licensees, aimed at increasing accountability.

• KRS 218A.205

  a[ permanent] ban regarding a licensee's or applicant's ability to prescribe or dispense controlled substances if[on licensees and applicants] convicted[ after July 20, 2012,] in this state or any other state of a[any] felony offense regarding the licensee's or applicant's[relating to controlled substances from] prescribing or dispensing a controlled substance; → Restrictions that may include a ban regarding a licensee's or applicant's ability to prescribe or dispense controlled substances if convicted in this state or any other state of a felony offense regarding the licensee's or applicant's prescribing or dispensing of a controlled substance;

  This change clarifies the restrictions on licensees concerning felony offenses related to controlled substances.

• KRS 218A.205

  A requirement that licensees and applicants report to the board any conviction or disciplinary action covered by this subsection with appropriate sanctions for any failure to make this required report;

  This addition mandates that licensees report certain convictions or disciplinary actions, ensuring more comprehensive monitoring.

• KRS 218A.205

  Continuing education requirements beginning with the first full educational year occurring after July 1, 2012, that specify that at least seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the continuing education required of the licensed practitioner relate to the use of the electronic monitoring system established in KRS 218A.202, pain management, or addiction disorders.

  This requires continuing education to include specific topics related to electronic monitoring and addiction management.

• KRS 218A.205

  For the purposes of pharmacy dispensing, the medical necessity for a Schedule II controlled substance as documented by the practitioner in the patient's medical record and the prescription for more than a three (3) day supply of that controlled substance are presumed to be valid.

  This introduces a presumption of validity for prescriptions exceeding three-day supplies if properly documented.

• KRS 218A.205

  If not otherwise required by other law, a process for submitting a query on each applicant for licensure to the National Practitioner Data Bank of the United States Department of Health and Human Services to retrieve any relevant data on the applicant;

  This adds a new requirement for querying the National Practitioner Data Bank for licensure applicants.

• KRS 218A.205

  Every state licensing board shall cooperate to the maximum extent permitted by law with all state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies, and all professional licensing boards and agencies, state and federal, in the United States or its territories in the coordination of actions to deter the improper, inappropriate, or illegal prescribing or dispensing of a controlled substance.

  This requires state licensing boards to actively cooperate with law enforcement to address illegal prescribing practices.

• KRS 218A.205

  Each state licensing board shall require a fingerprint-supported criminal record check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation of any applicant for initial licensure to practice any profession authorized to prescribe or dispense controlled substances.

  This mandates a criminal background check for new applicants for licenses to prescribe or dispense controlled substances.

Action History

1. March 05, 2026

   to Committee on Committees (S)

2. March 05, 2026

   received in Senate

3. March 04, 2026

   3rd reading, passed 80-16

4. March 03, 2026

   posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, March 04 2026

5. February 26, 2026

   2nd reading, to Rules

6. February 25, 2026

   reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

7. February 13, 2026

   to Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H)

8. February 06, 2026

   to Committee on Committees (H)

9. February 06, 2026

   introduced in House

Sponsors

• Derek Lewis · Primary
• George Brown Jr. · Primary
• Tom Smith · Primary

Votes

Subjects