Pubdate: Thu, 29 Jan 2004
Source: Roanoke Times (VA)
Copyright: 2004 Roanoke Times
Contact:  http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/368
Author: Kevin Miller
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

METHADONE CLINIC BILL EXEMPTS CURRENT PLANS

Lawmakers Say It Is Unfair To Place Retroactive Limits On Business Locations.

RICHMOND - Proposed methadone clinics in Roanoke and Washington County 
could be exempt from legislation attempting to block the drug treatment 
facilities from opening near schools or day care centers.

Sens. Brandon Bell of Roanoke County and William Wampler of Bristol 
originally introduced their respective bills in part to prevent private 
companies from proceeding with plans for two methadone clinics in the 
legislators' districts, including one proposed for Hershberger Road.

Both bills would ban clinics within a half-mile of public or private 
schools, but Wampler's legislation includes licensed day care centers as 
well as schools.

But members of a Senate subcommittee rewrote the two bills to exempt 
proposed clinics that were in the pipeline before Jan. 1, 2004.

Members of the Senate Education and Health subcommittee on health care said 
they were uncomfortable changing the rules on companies who had followed 
all existing rules and made significant investments in the planned clinics.

"We are making this retroactive," said Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, 
arguing against the bills as originally written. "It doesn't matter if 
you've got a building. It doesn't matter if you've got a long-term lease."

The committee combined the two bills and a third by Sen. John Edwards, 
D-Roanoke. The composite bill also would require the state to notify 
localities and local community service boards when they receive an 
application for a clinic and require a public hearing on the issue.

Wampler and Bell, both Republicans, indicated they plan to petition the 
full Senate Education and Health Committee, which meets today, to restore 
the language that could block the current proposals. Wampler even 
threatened to move to kill the bill altogether if the Washington County 
project is allowed to move forward.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman