The bill, S.B. No. 1263, establishes a pilot program for the safe disposal of prescription drugs, including controlled substances, in Texas. It amends various sections of the Health and Safety Code to define key terms such as "collection receptacle" and "commission," which refers to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, replacing the previous references to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. The bill mandates the commission to develop and implement the pilot program aimed at increasing the number of collection receptacles for unused, unwanted, or expired prescription drugs across the state. It also outlines the eligibility criteria for pharmacies to participate in the program and specifies that the commission will prioritize pharmacies that do not currently collect prescription drugs or are located in rural or underserved areas.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for financial assistance to participating pharmacies, covering costs related to maintaining collection receptacles and incinerating collected drugs. It requires the commission to create educational outreach materials to inform the public about safe disposal options and mandates a report summarizing the program's results and recommendations for its future by December 1 of each even-numbered year. The bill also allows for funding from the opioid abatement account and other sources to support the program. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 1317.40 (Health and Safety Code 1317)