Governor Cuomo Signs Opioid Abuse Legislation and Issues 2016 Legislative Session Report

​Governor Cuomo has signed into law, as Chapter 71 of the Laws of 2016, the opioid abuse legislative package passed by the New York State Legislature.  This new law limits initial prescriptions of controlled substances for acute pain to no more than a seven day supply.  It also mandates three hours of continuing education every three years in pain management for all health care professionals who hold a current United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration number.  The continuing education can be taken online and can be applied to the existing 60 hours of mandatory continuing education required for dentists.  The first such course must be taken on or before July 1, 2017.  Governor Cuomo also issued his comprehensive report on the conclusion of the 2016 legislative session and its accomplishments.  To read the Governor's announcement of his signing of the opioid abuse legislation, including a summary of the provisions in the new law, use the first link below.  To read the Governor's speech on signing the opioid abuse legislation, use the second link below.  To read the Governor's complete 2016 legislative session report, use the third link below.  To read the Governor's announcement and summary of his 2016 legislative session report, use the last link below.
http://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-signs-legislation-combat-heroin-and-opioid-crisis  (Governor Cuomo announcement of signing and summary of opioid abuse legislation)
http://www.governor.ny.gov/news/video-photos-transcript-governor-cuomo-signs-legislation-combat-heroin-and-opioid-crisis  (Governor Cuomo speech on signing opioid abuse legislation)
https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/2016EndofSessionReport.pdf  (Governor Cuomo complete 2016 legislative session report)
http://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-highlights-achievements-2016-legislation-session  (Governor Cuomo announcement and summary of 2016 legislative session report)