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Bill

HB 5533

Relating to the prescribing and ordering of Schedule II controlled substances in a narcotic drug treatment program by certain advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Donna Howard

Expands Schedule II controlled substance prescribing in addiction treatment programs to APRNs and PAs, increasing medication-assisted treatment access in underserved areas.

Referred to Public Health
#medicine&prescriptiondrugs(s7338) #mentalhealth&substanceabuse(i0019) #nurses&nurseaides(s2704) #occupationalregulation--healthoccupations(i0540) #physicianassistants(s0081) #physicians(s1282)
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Bill Summary · HB 5533

Legislative bill overview

HB 5533 would expand prescribing authority for Schedule II controlled substances in narcotic drug treatment programs to include advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs), roles currently restricted to physicians. The bill aims to increase access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) by leveraging these healthcare professionals in addiction treatment settings.

Why is this important

Opioid addiction treatment relies heavily on Schedule II medications like methadone and buprenorphine. Texas faces critical shortages of addiction medicine specialists and treatment capacity, particularly in rural areas. Expanding prescribing authority could reduce wait times for treatment and improve access to evidence-based care for thousands of Texans struggling with opioid use disorder.

Potential points of contention

  • Professional scope concerns: Medical boards and physician organizations may argue that Schedule II prescribing requires physician-level training and oversight, especially for complex addiction cases with comorbidities
  • Regulatory framework gaps: Questions about whether current supervision requirements, liability standards, and continuing education mandates adequately protect patient safety under expanded APRN/PA authority
  • Implementation variability: Unclear whether all treatment programs have sufficient infrastructure to integrate APRNs/PAs into prescribing workflows, or whether this creates inconsistent quality standards across facilities

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

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