SB 271: Prescription Drug Affordability Board; established.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Prescription Drug Affordability Advisory Panel established; maximum fair price; annual reports; civil penalties. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to establish the Prescription Drug Affordability Advisory Panel to conduct data analyses, develop policy recommendations, and identify implementation barriers related to strategies to improve prescription drug affordability, enhance price transparency, and strengthen data collection practices for prescription drugs across public and private payers. The bill requires the Panel to (i) report annually on prescription drug pricing trends and any policy recommendations on legislation to improve prescription drug affordability and (ii) provide quarterly updates on prescription drug pricing trends. The bill requires each pharmacy benefits manager to provide to the Panel, upon request, certain information relating to the dispensation of a referenced drug, as defined in the bill.The bill prohibits prescription drug manufacturers or wholesale distributors permitted or licensed in the Commonwealth from accepting payment at an amount higher than the maximum fair price established by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services pursuant to federal law for the sale of a referenced drug intended for use by individuals in the Commonwealth. Under the bill, an entity that violates such prohibition is subject to a civil penalty of $10,000 per violation. The bill also prohibits a manufacturer subject to its provisions from removing a referenced drug from sale distribution in the Commonwealth for the purpose of avoiding the impact of the bill's rate limitations without providing certain prior notice. Under the bill, a manufacturer that violates such prohibition on removing a referenced drug without the required notice is subject to a civil penalty equal to the greater of $100,000 or the total amount of annual savings for the referenced drug, as determined by the Board of Pharmacy. This bill is identical to HB 483.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 13, 2026Governor's recommendation received by Senate
2. March 31, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
3. March 31, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
4. March 31, 2026Signed by Speaker
5. March 31, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB271)
6. March 30, 2026Signed by President
7. March 30, 2026Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB271ER)
8. March 30, 2026Enrolled
9. March 23, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB271)
10. March 11, 2026House substitute agreed to by Senate
11. March 10, 2026Passed House with substitute (95-Y 4-N 0-A)
12. March 10, 2026Engrossed by House - floor substitute

Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history