Step therapy protocols for prescription drug coverage and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority. Sets specifications on the development and use of and exceptions to step therapy protocols for prescription drug coverage. When establishing a step therapy protocol, an insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, or utilization review organization must use clinical review criteria based on clinical practice guidelines that meet certain criteria specified in the bill, including development and endorsement of the guidelines either by a multidisciplinary panel of experts that manages conflicts of interest among its members or, in the absence of a multidisciplinary panel, based on peer reviewed publications. The bill requires the insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, or utilization review organization to consider the needs of atypical patient populations and diagnoses when establishing the clinical review criteria.