(a) A podiatric physician shall check the information in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program when prescribing:

1. (1) An opioid from Schedule II or Schedule III for every time prescribing the medication to a patient; and
2. (2) A benzodiazepine medication for the first time prescribing the medication to a patient.

(b) This section does not apply to the following:

1. (1) A licensee administering a controlled substance:

   1. (A) Immediately before or during surgery;
   2. (B) During recovery from a surgery while in a healthcare facility;
   3. (C) In a healthcare facility; or
   4. (D) Necessary to treat a patient in an emergency situation at the scene of an emergency, in a licensed ground ambulance or air ambulance, or in the intensive care unit of a licensed hospital; or

2. (2) A healthcare provider prescribing or administering a controlled substance to:

   1. (A) A palliative care or hospice patient;
   2. (B) A resident in a licensed nursing home facility; or
   3. (C) Situations in which the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program is not accessible due to technological or electrical failure.