Broward Commissioner Chip LaMarca with Gov. Rick Scott during the pill mill bill signing in Broward County.

Commissioner Chip LaMarca welcomed Florida Governor Rick Scott to Broward County today as the Governor signed HB 7095, the so-called “pill mill bill” into law at Fort Lauderdale Police Headquarters.

“This bill increases penalties for doctors overprescribing pain medications and bans doctors from prescribing narcotics except under special circumstances such as surgery or hospice.  Also, all staff with access to these medications will have to undergo extensive criminal background checks. This bill will save lives,” said Governor Scott.   The bill also authorizes a prescription drug monitoring database though out Florida that will begin operating in August.

“I applaud Governor Scott in realizing the severity of this epidemic, and using the full force of his office to aide in the fight to stop these senseless deaths.  I think it shows his awareness of the issue that the first bill signing took place here in Broward County-Ground Zero in the fight against this epidemic,” said Commissioner LaMarca.

Recently, Broward Commissioners passed a Pain Management Clinic ordinance for the unincorporated areas.  That ordinance strictly regulates zoning, hours of operation, business practices and prohibits pain management clinics from operating within 1200 feet of another pain management clinic, place of worship, child care center or educational center.  The Broward County Pain Management Clinic ordinance is intended to serve as a model ordinance for cities to adopt.  Commissioner Kristin Jacobs pushed forward the ordinance and Commissioners LaMarca and Jacobs participated in protests outside of pill mill clinics within their Broward County districts.

In March, the Broward County Pain Management Clinic Task Force issued its final report with recommendations for the licensing and location of pain management clinics otherwise referred to as “pills mills.” The Commission instructed the County Attorney to draft a model ordinance based on those recommendations.
Broward County has been referred to as the “pill mill” capital of America. In 2009, a Broward County Grand Jury issued a report noting the proliferation of pain clinics throughout the County. The number of pain management clinics in Broward more than doubled from August 2008 to November 2009.