As used in this part 8, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) Advisory board means the MAT expansion advisory board created in section 23-21-805.
(1.5) Center means the center for research into substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery support strategies established pursuant to section 27-80-118.
(2) College of nursing means the college of nursing at the university of Colorado Anschutz medical campus, operated by the board of regents of the university of Colorado.
(3) Federal act means section 303 of the federal Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016, Pub.L. 114-198.
(4) Medication-assisted treatment or MAT means a combination of behavioral therapy and medications, such as buprenorphine and all other medications and therapies, approved by the federal food and drug administration to treat opioid use disorder.
(5) Nurse practitioner means an advanced practice registered nurse, as defined in section 12-255-104 (1), who is listed on the advanced practice registry in accordance with section 12-255-111 and is authorized by the state board of nursing in accordance with section 12-255-112 to prescribe controlled substances and prescription drugs.
(5.3) Pharmacist means an individual licensed in Colorado to engage in the practice of pharmacy who is prescribing medication-assisted treatment pursuant to part 6 of article 280 of title 12.
(6) Physician assistant means a person licensed as a physician assistant by the Colorado medical board in accordance with section 12-240-113 who is authorized, in accordance with section 12-240-107 (6), to perform acts constituting the practice of medicine, including prescribing controlled substances.
(7) Pilot program or MAT expansion pilot program means the medication-assisted treatment expansion pilot program created in section 23-21-804.
(8) Pilot program area means the areas of the state in which the pilot program is available, as specified in section 23-21-804 (1)(b).
(9) Qualified nurse practitioner or physician assistant means a nurse practitioner or physician assistant who is a qualifying practitioner, as defined in the federal act and regulations adopted under the federal act, and is registered in accordance with 21 U.S.C. sec. 823 (g).
(10) San Luis valley means the counties of Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Huerfano, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache.
Source: L. 2017: Entire part added, (SB 17-074), ch. 226, p. 872, � 1, effective May 22. L. 2019: (1.5) and (10) added, (SB 19-001), ch. 173, p. 2003, � 2, effective May 14; (5) and (6) amended, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1684, � 120, effective October 1. L. 2023: (6) amended, (SB 23-083), ch. 114, p. 416, � 13, effective August 7. L. 2024: (5.3) added, (HB 24-1045), ch. 470, p. 3281, � 13, effective August 7.
23-21-804. Medication-assisted treatment expansion pilot program - created - pilot program location - eligible grant recipients - rules. (1) (a) There is created the medication-assisted treatment expansion pilot program to provide grants to community agencies, office-based practices, behavioral health organizations, substance abuse treatment organizations, and pharmacies to enable:
(I) Nurse practitioners or physician assistants working in those settings to obtain training and ongoing support required under the federal act in order to prescribe buprenorphine and all other medications and therapies approved by the federal food and drug administration as part of medication-assisted treatment provided to individuals with an opioid use disorder;
(II) Those agencies, practices, and organizations to provide behavioral therapies and support in conjunction with medication-assisted treatment for individuals with an opioid use disorder; and
(III) Pharmacists authorized under a statewide drug therapy protocol pursuant to section 12-280-605, a collaborative pharmacy practice agreement pursuant to part 6 of article 280 of title 12, or otherwise authorized under law to prescribe, dispense, or administer medication-assisted treatment for individuals with an opioid use disorder.
(b) The MAT expansion pilot program is available to provide grants to community agencies, office-based practices, behavioral health organizations, substance abuse treatment organizations practicing or providing treatment in Pueblo county or Routt county, and, starting in the 2019-20 fiscal year, the San Luis valley and additional counties selected by the center for participation based on demonstrated need. The MAT expansion pilot program may also provide grants to pharmacies for the purposes allowed under the grant program once the conditions described in subsection (1)(a)(III) of this section are met.
(2) A grant recipient may use the money received through the pilot program for the following purposes:
(a) To enable nurse practitioners or physician assistants practicing or working in the grant recipient's setting in the pilot program area to obtain the training required to be a qualified nurse practitioner or physician assistant in order to prescribe buprenorphine and all other medications and therapies approved by the federal food and drug administration as part of medication-assisted treatment for individuals with opioid use disorders;
(b) To increase access to medication-assisted treatment for individuals with opioid use disorders in the pilot program area; and
(c) To obtain training for pharmacists to provide medication-assisted treatment services.
(3) The center shall administer the MAT expansion pilot program and, subject to available appropriations, shall award grants as provided in this part 8. Subject to available appropriations, grants shall be paid out of money annually appropriated for the pilot program as provided in section 23-21-808.
(4) The center shall implement the MAT expansion pilot program in accordance with this part 8 and shall develop, with assistance from and in coordination with the advisory board, pilot program guidelines and procedures as necessary to implement the pilot program, including guidelines and procedures specifying the time frames for applying for grants; the form of the pilot program grant application; the time frames for distributing grant money, technical assistance, and consultation to grant recipients; and evaluation of the pilot program.
Source: L. 2017: Entire part added, (SB 17-074), ch. 226, p. 873, � 1, effective May 22. L. 2019: (1)(b), (3), and (4) amended, (SB 19-001), ch. 173, p. 2004, � 3, effective May 14. L. 2024: (1) and (2) amended, (HB 24-1045), ch. 470, p. 3281, � 14, effective August 7.