§ 4286 -   Advisory committee

§ 4286. Advisory committee

(a)(1) The commissioner shall establish an advisory committee to assist in the implementation and periodic evaluation of VPMS.

(2) The department shall consult with the committee concerning any potential operational or economic impacts on dispensers and health care providers related to transmission system equipment and software requirements.

(3) The committee shall develop guidelines for use of VPMS by dispensers and health care providers and shall make recommendations concerning under what circumstances, if any, the department shall or may give VPMS data, including data thresholds for such disclosures, to law enforcement personnel. The committee shall also review and approve advisory notices prior to publication.

(b) The advisory committee shall be chaired by the commissioner or his or her designee and shall include the following members:

(1) the deputy commissioner for alcohol and drug abuse programs;

(2) a representative from the Vermont medical society;

(3) a representative from the American college of emergency physicians-Vermont chapter;

(4) a representative from the Vermont state nurses association;

(5) a representative from the Vermont board of medical practice;

(6) a representative from the Vermont board of pharmacy;

(7) a pharmacist from the Vermont pharmacists association;

(8) a representative of the Vermont state dental society;

(9) the commissioner of public safety;

(10) a representative of the Vermont attorney general;

(11) a representative of the Vermont substance abuse treatment providers association;

(12) a mental health provider or a certified alcohol and drug counselor;

(13) a consumer in recovery from prescription abuse;

(14) a consumer receiving medical treatment for chronic pain; and

(15) any other member invited by the commissioner.

(c) The committee shall meet no less than quarterly in the first year, and no less than annually each following year, but may be convened at any time by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee.

(d) The committee shall issue a report to the senate and house committees on judiciary, the senate committee on health and welfare, and the house committee on human services no later than January 15th in 2008, 2010, and 2012.

(e) This section shall sunset July 1, 2012 and thereafter the committee shall cease to exist. (Added 2005, No. 205 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)