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HB 1677

Elections; Elections Act of 2025; effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Cantrell

Authorizes Arkansas alcohol/drug treatment programs to keep an on-site emergency medication kit overseen by a licensed pharmacy for immediate meds, with strict access and replaceme

Second Reading referred to Rules
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Bill Summary · HB 1677

Summary — HB 1677 (Arkansas version): Authorize alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs to maintain emergency medication kits

Note: The source document contained multiple unrelated bills titled “HB 1677” from different states and with different subjects. This summary covers the Arkansas House Bill 1677 (95th General Assembly, Regular Session 2025) whose text is the clearest and most detailed in the provided material — an act to authorize alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs to maintain emergency medication kits. per the user-supplied “Bill Information,” this bill ultimately died in committee.

Purpose and intent

To authorize alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs (including standalone detox facilities and substance abuse treatment centers) in Arkansas to maintain an on-site emergency medication kit so staff can provide immediate therapeutic medications when other sources are not available quickly enough to prevent harm.

Key provisions

  • Adds Arkansas Code § 20-64-912 establishing rules for “emergency medication kits.”
  • Definition: an “emergency medication kit” contains medication required for immediate therapeutic needs not obtainable in time from other sources.
  • Eligibility: Alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs may keep such a kit if they have a physician or other medical personnel on staff and can administer controlled substances and noncontrolled legend drugs.
  • Pharmacy oversight: Each program must designate one licensed pharmacy to supply and oversee the kit. That pharmacy must be registered with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy.
  • Security and access:
    • Kit must be stored in a locked container or cabinet behind a locked door.
    • Accessible only to licensed medical personnel.
  • Administration:
    • Drugs from the kit may be administered only by licensed medical personnel on the order of a physician or an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), and consistent with 21 C.F.R. §§ 1306.11 and 1306.21 (federal controlled-substance prescription requirements).
    • All drugs administered from the kit must be replaced within 72 hours by the designated pharmacy based on a prescription for the patient who received them.
  • Controlled-substances limit: The kit may not contain Schedule II controlled substances (amendment language).
  • Rulemaking: The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy must adopt rules governing kit contents, per-medication quantities, storage/security requirements, and use/access.

Who would be affected

  • Alcohol and drug abuse treatment providers in Arkansas (including detox centers and substance-abuse treatment centers).
  • Designated licensed pharmacies (DEA registration and Board of Pharmacy licensing required).
  • Physicians, APRNs, and other licensed medical personnel who order or administer medications from the kit.
  • Patients receiving emergency medications at treatment programs.
  • Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy (rulemaking and oversight responsibilities).

Procedural / timeline status

  • Introduced (text shows activity through amendments and engrossment dates in early 2025).
  • According to the supplied Bill Information, the bill’s status is “Died In Committee” (i.e., it did not become law).

Potential impacts

  • Could improve timely emergency response (e.g., to severe withdrawal, overdose, acute medical needs) at substance-use treatment sites.
  • Imposes regulatory and operational requirements on treatment programs and pharmacies (security, recordkeeping, prescription replacement within 72 hours, staffing/medical coverage).
  • Requires Board of Pharmacy rulemaking and DEA-registered pharmacy participation; potential costs for compliance, training, and pharmacy contracts.

If you want, I can produce a redlined comparison showing exactly where this bill amends existing Arkansas Code or draft suggested rules the Board of Pharmacy might adopt consistent with the bill.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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