Lawmakers approve meth prevention bill

A statewide electronic tracking system will be implemented for purchases of methamphetamine precursor chemicals at the point of sale under a bill approved by the Legislature April 8.

Under LB20, introduced by Omaha Sen. Beau McCoy, retailers will receive an immediate web-based notification when a person is attempting to purchase illegal amounts of pseudoephedrine, a drug found in over-the-counter cold medications that is used in meth-making.

The system automatically will issue the seller a stop sale alert. Retailers will be required to use the free system unless granted a waiver by the Attorney General.

The bill also will:

• ensure that no claim or cause of action shall arise against a seller based upon the electronic submission of information to the exchange;
• allow the retailer to store certain information obtained from the purchaser’s license or identification card in case it is needed by law enforcement; and
• prohibit the sale of products containing more than 9 grams of pseudoephedrine base or 9 grams of phenylpropanolamine base during a 30-day period unless purchased pursuant to a medical order.

The bill has an effective date of Jan. 1, 2012.

LB20 was approved on a 44-0 vote.