(a) (1) In order to ensure appropriate oversight of psychotropic medications prescribed for children, pursuant to Section 2245 of the Business and Professions Code, the department and the State Department of Social Services, pursuant to a data-sharing agreement that shall meet the requirements of all applicable state and federal laws and regulations, shall provide the Medical Board of California with information regarding Medi-Cal physicians and their prescribing patterns of psychotropic medications and related services for individuals described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c). The data concerning psychotropic medications and related services shall be drawn from existing data sources maintained by the departments. Every five years, the Medical Board of California, the department, and the State Department of Social Services shall consult and revise the methodology, if determined to be necessary.
(2) At minimum, the department, on an annual basis, shall share with the Medical Board of California data, including, but not limited to, pharmacy claims data for all foster children who are or have been on three or more psychotropic medications for 90 days or more. Prior to the release of this data, personal identifiers such as name, date of birth, address, and social security number shall be removed and a unique identifier shall be submitted. For each foster child who falls into these categories, the department shall submit the following information to the board:
(A) A list of the psychotropic medications prescribed.
(B) The start and stop dates, if any, for each psychotropic medication prescribed.
(C) The prescriber’s name and contact information.
(D) The child’s or adolescent’s year of birth.
(E) Any other information that is deidentified and necessary to the Medical Board of California to allow the board to exercise its statutory authority as an oversight entity.
(F) The unit and quantity of the medication and the number of days’ supply of the medication.
(b) The Medical Board of California shall contract for consulting services from, if available, a psychiatrist who has expertise and specializes in pediatric care for the purpose of reviewing the data provided to the board pursuant to subdivision (a). The consultant shall consider the treatment guidelines published by the department and the State Department of Social Services when assessing prescribing patterns.
(c) The Medical Board of California, pursuant to subdivision (a), shall analyze prescribing patterns by population for both of the following:
(1) Children adjudged as dependent children under Section 300 and placed in foster care.
(2) A minor adjudged a ward of the court under Section 601 or 602 who has been removed from the physical custody of the parent and placed into foster care.
(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2027, deletes or extends that date.
(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 840, Sec. 3. (SB 1174) Effective January 1, 2017. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, by its own provisions.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018