Tyler’s Law
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2004
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-25: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T08:06:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, titled "Tyler's Law," aims to address the opioid crisis by directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study and provide guidance on routine fentanyl testing in hospital emergency departments (EDs) for patients experiencing drug overdoses. The goal is to evaluate the practicality, benefits, and risks of such testing to improve overdose response and patient care.
Key Provisions
- Short Title (Section 1): The Act is named "Tyler's Law."
- Study Requirement (Section 2(a)): Within 1 year of enactment, HHS must complete a study examining:
- How often hospital EDs currently test for fentanyl alongside other drugs (e.g., amphetamines, phencyclidine, cocaine, opiates, and marijuana) in overdose cases.
- The costs of fentanyl testing.
- Potential benefits and risks to patients from this testing.
- Impacts on the patient experience, including protections for confidentiality and privacy of personal health information (e.g., under laws like HIPAA, which safeguards medical records) and the patient-physician relationship.
- Guidance Issuance (Section 2(b)): Within 6 months after the study, HHS must issue guidance based on the findings, covering:
- Whether hospital EDs should make fentanyl testing a standard routine for overdose patients.
- Ways to ensure clinicians know which substances are included in routine drug tests, even if fentanyl is not screened.
- How fentanyl testing might influence patients' future overdose risks and overall health outcomes.
- Definition (Section 2(c)): "Hospital emergency department" refers to EDs as defined in the Social Security Act (a federal law governing Medicare requirements for emergency care).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new federal requirements for HHS to conduct a specific study and issue non-binding guidance, but it does not amend or repeal any existing laws. It builds on current overdose response practices by focusing on fentanyl—a synthetic opioid often mixed with other drugs—without mandating testing outright. Instead, it promotes evidence-based recommendations to standardize practices across EDs.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HHS will face administrative burdens to complete the study and guidance, potentially requiring collaboration with health experts and data from hospitals. This could influence future federal funding or policies on substance use disorders.
- Citizens and Healthcare: Patients with overdoses may benefit from earlier fentanyl detection, leading to tailored treatments and reduced overdose deaths (fentanyl is a leading cause). However, it could increase testing costs for hospitals, possibly passed on through insurance or public funds. Privacy risks might arise if testing protocols are not handled carefully, though the bill emphasizes safeguards.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. healthcare practices.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Healthcare Providers and Facilities: Hospital EDs and clinicians, who may need to adjust testing protocols, training, and resource allocation.
- Patients: Individuals experiencing overdoses, particularly those involving opioids, who could see improved care but face potential privacy concerns.
- Government: HHS as the primary implementing agency; bipartisan congressional sponsors (from both parties) indicate broad political support.
- Broader Community: Public health organizations, insurers, and families affected by the opioid epidemic, as enhanced testing could support prevention efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The guidance is advisory, not enforceable, avoiding direct mandates that could conflict with state healthcare laws or hospital autonomy. It reinforces existing privacy protections (e.g., for health records) without creating new regulatory burdens.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues, as it involves federal oversight of public health under Congress's commerce clause powers (authority over interstate activities like healthcare).
- Political: The bill's bipartisan introduction (with sponsors from diverse districts) highlights cross-party consensus on combating the fentanyl crisis, potentially paving the way for further opioid-related legislation. It could influence debates on healthcare costs and emergency room efficiency without partisan controversy evident in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (60)
Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11] and 10 more
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-25: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 2026-06-25: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-03-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-03-10: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2025-03-10: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Tyler’s Law — issued 2025-03-10 — PDF (3 pages)