H97 - 2015 Appropriations Act, Sec. 12F.16(f)-(h): Improve Controlled Substances Reporting System Contract (SL 2015-241)

Overview: Secs. 12F.16.(f) through (h) of S.L. 2015-241 direct the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to modify the contract for the Controlled Substances Reporting System (CSRS) to improve performance, establish user access controls, establish data security protocols, and ensure availability of data for advanced analytics. Specifically, the contract must be modified to include the following:

• A connection to the HIE Network administered by the North Carolina Health Information Exchange Authority (NC HIE Authority) (effective upon the establishment of the HIE Network pursuant to 12A.5 of this act).
• The establishment of interstate connectivity.
• Data security protocols that meet or exceed the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

DHHS must complete the above contract modifications by December 31, 2015, and report by November 15, 2015, to the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services on its progress towards modifying the contract. In furtherance of the directive to establish interstate connectivity of the CSRS, DHHS must apply for grant funding from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy to establish an initial connection to PMP InterConnect, and additional monies for two years of ongoing service, maintenance, and support for PMP InterConnect.

These sections became effective September 18, 2015.