Workgroup review of opioid pain reliever use and abuse.

Existing law creates the State Department of Public Health and vests it with duties, powers, functions, jurisdiction, and responsibilities with regard to the advancement of public health. This bill would require the department to convene a workgroup, comprised of members selected by the department, to review existing prescription guidelines and develop a recommended statewide guideline addressing best practices for prescribing opioid pain relievers. The bill would require the department, on or before March 1, 2019, to report the workgroup's conclusions and recommendations to the Legislature. The bill would repeal its provisions on January 1, 2020.