Changes to Definitions Monitoring of Prescription Drugs

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brandi Bradley and 8 co-sponsors

The bill updates the term from “drug abuse” to “substance use disorder” in prescription drug monitoring definitions, aligning with clinical language without changing procedures.

Governor Signed

Summary — HB 25-1316: Changes to Definitions; Monitoring of Prescription Drugs

Status: Governor signed (May 24, 2025)
Introduced: April 1, 2025
Effective date: August 6, 2025 (per fiscal note) — or generally 90 days after final adjournment unless a referendum is filed; if a valid referendum is filed the act would not take effect unless approved by voters (general election Nov 2026).
Primary sponsors: Reps. Brandi Bradley and Michael Carter; Sens. Tony Exum and Janice Rich. Recommended by the Statutory Revision Committee.

Purpose and intent

HB 25-1316 makes a technical, statutory-definition change in Colorado law governing the electronic monitoring of prescription drugs. The change replaces the term and statutory definition of “drug abuse” with a clinical definition of “substance use disorder,” aligning statutory language with modern clinical terminology and prior legislation.

Key provisions

Amend Colorado Revised Statutes § 12-280-402 (part 4 governing electronic monitoring of prescription drugs):

Repeals the existing definition (subsection (2)) of “drug abuse” or “abuse.”
Adds a new definition (subsection (5)) of “substance use disorder,” defined in the act as: > "SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER" MEANS A CHRONIC RELAPSING BRAIN DISEASE, CHARACTERIZED BY RECURRENT USE OF ALCOHOL, DRUGS, OR BOTH, CAUSING CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT IMPAIRMENT, INCLUDING HEALTH PROBLEMS, DISABILITY, AND FAILURE TO MEET MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AT WORK, SCHOOL, OR HOME.

No other substantive programmatic changes to the electronic monitoring rules are made by this bill.

Who or what is affected

Statutes, regulations, and guidance that reference the repealed “drug abuse” definition within the electronic monitoring of prescription drugs (Title 12, Article 280, Part 4).

Regulated entities and stakeholders (licensed health professionals, pharmacies, monitoring programs, patients) to the extent statutory language is used in regulatory or compliance contexts.

Regulatory agencies and local governments — the fiscal note concludes no operational changes or costs.

Fiscal and procedural notes

Nonpartisan Legislative Council fiscal notes (initial and final) assess the bill as having no fiscal impact on state or local government and require no appropriation.

The bill moved through Health & Human Services committees and passed both chambers without amendments; signed by the Governor May 24, 2025.

The act is subject to referendum; if a valid petition is filed within the constitutional period the measure would be placed before voters at the November 2026 general election.

Practical implications

The change is primarily terminological: it modernizes statutory language to reflect a clinical understanding of problematic substance use. It is not intended to change enforcement, monitoring procedures, or funding for prescription drug monitoring programs, but may affect statutory interpretation and reduce stigmatizing language in the relevant statutory provisions.