BILL NUMBER: AB 1124	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 1, 2015
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 14, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Perea

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2015

   An act to add Sections 5307.28 and 5307.29 to the Labor Code,
relating to workers' compensation.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1124, as amended, Perea. Workers' compensation: prescription
medication formulary.
   Existing law establishes a workers' compensation system,
administered by the Administrative Director of the Division of
Workers' Compensation, to compensate an employee for injuries
sustained in the course of employment. The administrative director is
authorized to adopt, amend, or repeal, after public hearings, any
rules and regulations that are reasonably necessary to enforce the
state workers' compensation provisions, except when that power is
specifically reserved to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board.
   This bill would require the administrative director to, on or
before January 1, 2017, establish a formulary for medications
prescribed in the workers' compensation system to be effective
commencing  January   July  1, 2017. The
bill would require the administrative director to convene a Workers'
Compensation Formulary Advisory Committee to assist in the
development of the formulary, and would require the committee to
study and make  recommendations  
recommendations, as specified,  on the development of a workers'
compensation formulary in California.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 5307.28 is added to the Labor Code, to read:
   5307.28.  On or before January 1, 2017, the administrative
director shall establish a formulary for medications prescribed in
the workers' compensation system to be effective commencing 
January   July  1, 2017.
  SEC. 2.  Section 5307.29 is added to the Labor Code, to read:
   5307.29.  (a) The administrative director shall convene a Workers'
Compensation Formulary Advisory Committee to assist in the
development of a formulary pursuant to Section 5307.28. The committee
shall be composed of members appointed by the director and shall
include, but not be limited to, health care providers, insurers,
employers,  pharmacists,  and injured worker
representatives.
   (b) The committee shall study and make recommendations on the
development of a workers' compensation formulary in California.
   (c) The committee shall convene on a quarterly basis and provide
its recommendations to the administrative director on or before
December 31, 2016. 
   (d) The recommendations developed pursuant to subdivision (c)
shall ensure all of the following:  
   (1) Injured worker access to appropriate opioids, other pain
management prescriptions, and off-label prescription drugs, when
medically necessary.  
   (2) A gradual detoxification plan for a worker receiving
potentially addictive prescription drug treatment.  
   (3) Timely formulary updates that minimize delays involved in
adding new drugs to the formulary.