- (a) Prior to establishing, operating, maintaining, or advertising a medication-assisted treatment program within this state, a medication-assisted treatment program shall be approved by the state opioid treatment authority for operation of a medication-assisted treatment program in this state.
- (b) The state opioid treatment authority shall act as the state's coordinator for the development and monitoring of medication-assisted treatment programs and it shall serve as a liaison with the appropriate federal agencies.
- (c) The designated state oversight agency is responsible for licensing, monitoring, and investigating complaints and grievances regarding medication-assisted treatment programs.
(d) The powers and duties of the state opioid treatment authority include, but are not limited to, the following:
- (1) Facilitate the development and implementation of rules, regulations, standards and best practice guidelines to ensure the quality of services delivered by medication-assisted treatment programs;
- (2) Act as a liaison between relevant state and federal agencies;
- (3) Be available for consultation regarding medication-assisted treatment guidelines, rules, regulations and recovery models for individualized treatment plans of care developed by the federal government and other nationally recognized authorities;
- (4) Ensure delivery of technical assistance and informational materials to medication-assisted treatment programs as needed;
- (5) Perform both scheduled and unscheduled site visits to medication-assisted treatment programs in cooperation with the identified state oversight agency when necessary and appropriate;
- (6) Consult with the federal government regarding approval or disapproval of requests for exceptions to federal regulations, where appropriate;
- (7) Review and approve exceptions to federal and state dosage policies and procedures;
- (8) Receive and refer patient appeals and grievances to the designated state oversight agency when appropriate; and
- (9) Work cooperatively with other relevant state agencies to determine the services needed and the location of a proposed medication-assisted treatment program.