New York State Senate Passes Bill Intended to Prevent Prescription Drugs From Entering the Black Market

The New York State Senate has passed a bill that would establish criminal charges for the theft and unauthorized possession of blank official New York State prescription forms. Specifically, theft of blank prescription forms would be classified as grand larceny, a Class E felony; the possession of a stolen prescription form would be a Class E felony of criminal possession of stolen property; and possession of a blank prescription form would be a Class A misdemeanor of criminal possession of a prescription form. The proposed legislation, S3402, was sponsored by Senator Kemp Hannon, and is intended to help stop prescription drugs from entering the black market. Under current New York law, authorities are unable to take action until a stolen prescription form is sold, according to the North Country Gazette. The bill has been sent to the New York General Assembly for further consideration.