Governor Mike Pence signed legislation this morning to combat drug abuse in Indiana. Those bills included:
- HEA 1235 – Which ensures that those convicted of repeated, drug-dealing felony offenses may not receive suspended sentences if the offense involves meth or heroin and the person has a prior conviction for dealing either cocaine, heroin or meth.
- SEA 271 – Which establishes the Indiana Commission to Combat Drug Abuse. They will be responsible for coordinating substance abuse prevention, treatment and enforcement throughout the State of Indiana. The Commission goes into effect on January 1, 2017.
- SEA 187 – Ensures that lifesaving overdose intervention drugs are available statewide by requiring the Indiana State Department of Health to issue a statewide standing order for naloxone. That law also provides immunity from certain offenses for individuals who administer naloxone to a person who has overdosed, call 911, and cooperate with law enforcement when they arrive on the scene.
- SEA 297 – Expands the criteria FSSA Medicaid uses to determine medical necessity for inpatient detox and requires Medicaid coverage for inpatient detoxification to include treatment of opioid or alcohol dependence.
