New regs for Thursday: Tow boats, emissions, opioids

Thursday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new rules for tow boats, emissions standards for internal combustion engines, and greater access to treatment for opioid abusers.

Here’s what is happening:

Ships: The Coast Guard is moving forward with new rules for officers on towing vessels.

The Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular released Wednesday provides guidelines for credentialing mariners who work on towing vessels.

The policy goes into effect immediately.

Engines: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving forward with new rules for stationary compression ignition internal combustion engines.

These engines typically face strict environmental standards, but operators will be allowed to override the emissions control system during emergency situations in order to “protect human life,” the agency wrote.

The new rule goes into effect in 60 days.

Drugs: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is moving forward with new rules to give patients who are addicted to opioids greater access to medical treatment.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a division of HHS, will increase the number of patients that doctors may treat with buprenorphine “in an office-based setting,” the agency said.

Some doctors will be allowed to treat up to 275 patients, up from the current maximum of 100 patients.

The new rule goes into effect in 30 days.