S-916 : Still Just a Bill

Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017

This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to direct the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to register an emergency medical services (EMS) agency to administer controlled substances if the agency submits an application demonstrating that it is authorized to conduct such activity in the state in which the agency practices. The DEA may deny an application if it determines that the registration is inconsistent with the public interest.

An EMS agency may obtain a single registration in each state instead of a separate registration for each location.

A registered EMS agency may deliver, store, and receive controlled substances, subject to specified conditions.

An EMS professional of a registered EMS agency may administer controlled substances in schedules II, III, IV, or V outside the physical presence of a medical director if such administration is authorized under state law and pursuant to a standing or verbal order, subject to specified conditions.

The bill specifies that a hospital-based EMS agency (i.e., an EMS agency owned or operated by a hospital) may continue to administer controlled substances under the hospital's DEA registration.

A pharmacy may deliver a controlled substance to an administering practitioner in accordance with this bill's requirements, subject to specified conditions.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2018-05-25FloorHeld at the desk.House floor actions
2018-05-25FloorReceived in the House.House floor actions
2018-05-24FloorMessage on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
2018-05-23FloorPassed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S2882-2884)Senate
2018-05-23FloorThe committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.Senate
2018-05-23FloorMeasure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2882-2884)Senate
2017-05-01CalendarsPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 46.Senate
2017-05-01CommitteeCommittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Alexander with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.Senate
2017-04-26CommitteeCommittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.Senate
2017-04-24IntroReferralRead twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.Senate
2017-04-24IntroReferralIntroduced in SenateLibrary of Congress