[NFB-Arkansas] FW: 2024 Legislative Session Update

[Larry Wayland]

Here is something I think everyone will be interested in seeing.
Larry


From: En-Vision America <sglass at envisionamerica.com>
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2024 11:10 AM
To: Larry <lhwayland at hotmail.com>
Subject: 2024 Legislative Session Update

[outline of a capital dome on a background of blue that fades to black with the heading Legislative Update]
My Dear Advocates and Friends,

It's been a very busy year so far! The results listed below are the product of many people's hard work and dedication to the right to accessible prescription labeling.

A shout out to those leading and forging the way, especially: Curtis Chong, Jessica Beecham, Rep. Mary Young (CO), Bonnie O'Day, Stewart Prost, Tracy Soforenko, Rep Patrick Hope (VA), Jeff Thom, Regina Brink, Asm. Juan Alanis, Jennifer Dunnam, Rep. Jerry Newton and Sen. John Hoffman (MN), Eric Duffy, Rep Yolanda Young (MO), Sheila Wright, Roger Crome, Gary Wonder, Scott Van Gorp, Bob Ray, Monica Johnson, Susan Gray, Robin Mayr and Justin Young, just to name a few.

I know there are so many more...if you wrote a letter, made a phone call, testified, or said a prayer, on behalf of everyone who will benefit, thank you!

Feel free to forward this information, especially to those who might like to be on this list in 2025!  As always, I am happy to help in whatever way I can with policy issues.

With Gratitude and Excitement,
Sharla Glass
Public Policy and Community Outreach Liaison
En-Vision America
941-702-6602
sglass at envisionamerica.com<mailto:sglass at envisionamerica.com>

Accessible Prescription Labeling
2024 Legislative Session In Review

In 2024, seven accessible prescription labeling bills were introduced and two were carried over from the previous year.  Three bills were passed in Virginia, Colorado and Minnesota.  Two are still in process in California and Puerto Rico.

2024 Passed:

  *   Colorado HB24-1115<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=af60bc88cd&e=480195903e> Accessible Prescription Labeling
  *   Virginia HB516 <https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=c26bd31b13&e=480195903e> Accessible Prescription Labeling Law Passed.
  *   Minnesota Omnibus SB4699/HF4571<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=d92e671734&e=480195903e> <https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=c19a84c848&e=480195903e> Accessible Prescription Labeling Law Passed. (This bill is about 600 pages long so go to line 1144.31 for this portion)

2024 Still in Progress/ Session not over yet:

  *   California AB1902<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=d4784d6809&e=480195903e> Accessible Prescription Labeling Introduced
  *   Puerto Rico PS1190<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=1e8c58fde6&e=480195903e> <https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=d55b694149&e=480195903e> - Insurance Accessible Labeling Disbursement Fee Reimbursement
  *   Ohio HB382 <https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=f1af4f85a9&e=480195903e> Insurance Coverage of Prescription Readers
  *   Illinois HB5505<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=55b13e90e0&e=480195903e> Accessible Prescription Labeling - sent back to rules committee, unlikely to go anywhere but still time for a miracle

2024 Did Not Pass:

  *   Iowa SF2022<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=f9ccab36cd&e=480195903e> Accessible Prescription Labeling (made it to 2nd house, sine die)
  *   Missouri HB2750<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=b4d0bbf2cd&e=480195903e> Accessible Prescription Labeling (made it to 2nd house, sine die)

Some comments about the bills this year:

  *   First, a shout out to Missouri whose work in 2023 led to a grant for independent pharmacies, which also inspired Colorado.
  *   Colorado appropriated $80,000 for grants to assist independent pharmacies in providing accessible prescription labels
  *   Lots of press and news reports about the Colorado bill.  Not sure who sent out the first press release (maybe the House Dem's website) but it certainly got around and will help Coloradans know about the law.
  *   The Virginia bill emphasizes that the pharmacist and patient should work together to determine what counseling, accommodations and suitable packaging are appropriate to the disability and preference of the customer.
  *   Minnesota chose a two year implementation process:  the 1st year pharmacies report if they offer APLs and the Board of Pharmacy posts the list,the 2nd year they are all required to provide them.
  *   Minnesota used the phrase "has difficulty seeing or reading standard printed labels" instead of mentioning vision impairment or blindness
  *   Minnesota mentioned the US Access Board and specified "or its successor organization" to eliminate the need for edits in the future.


Here is the current full list of laws or rules:

2024

  *   Colorado HB24-1115<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=cd17e4273e&e=480195903e> Accessible Prescription Labeling
  *   Virginia HB516 <https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=1b05101152&e=480195903e> Accessible Prescription Labeling Law Passed.
  *   Minnesota Omnibus SB4699/HF4571<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=9666152f08&e=480195903e> <https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=d3a3d60096&e=480195903e> Accessible Prescription Labeling Law Passed. (This bill is about 600 pages long so go to line 1144.31 for this portion)

2023

  *   Ohio Board of Pharmacy Rule 4229:5-2-05Creating a directory of pharmacy accessibility for hearing impaired and vision impaired and translation services
  *   Maryland HB 456<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=722fc21d72&e=480195903e> &SB 0940<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=953a0d74eb&e=480195903e> Accessible Prescription Labeling
  *   Hawaii HB218<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=3ecbc208d7&e=480195903e> Audible Prescription Labeling
  *   Florida Board of Pharmacy Regulations  64B16-28.108<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=99d3856202&e=480195903e> Pharmacies must include their plan to accommodate blind and visually impaired in their policy and procedure manual

2022

  *   Tennessee SB1859 & HB1999<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=c3cf5b82b1&e=480195903e> - Accessible Prescription Labels Act Passed with Amendment.  Regulations become effective 3-14-2024

2021

  *   Maine LD172<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=f227c6c9f4&e=480195903e> - Study/survey of pharmacies and report back to legislature.
  *   Puerto Rico PS0287 <https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=8f85da990d&e=480195903e> -Audible Prescription Labeling Law Signed by Governor Jan 2023.

2019

  *    Oregon HB 2935<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=5c51c70eea&e=480195903e> <https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=8c5f2b145c&e=480195903e> Requires pharmacies to notify and provide patients with audible prescription labels.  Board of Pharmacy Rules.<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=50ac83d4c6&e=480195903e>

2017

  *   Nevada SB 131<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=ddc54b9faf&e=480195903e> Requires pharmacies to tell customers that audible prescription reader is available.


Resources for future and ongoing advocacy efforts:
https://www.StaySafeRx.org<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=4950d8ff47&e=480195903e>
https://www.access-board.gov/rx.html<https://envisionamerica.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db4dd6006ff4b508c6e63c45d&id=bb643a3481&e=480195903e>

View email in browser<https://mailchi.mp/envisionamerica/2024legislation?e=480195903e>
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