To direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdose, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2351
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-10: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T03:14:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill (H.R. 2351) aims to enhance the U.S. Coast Guard's ability to respond to drug overdoses, particularly those involving opioids like fentanyl, by updating policies on the use and availability of reversal medications such as naloxone (a drug that quickly reverses opioid overdose effects). It also refines existing laws on controlled substances aboard vessels to improve clarity and enforcement.
Key Provisions
- Amendments to Controlled Substances Law (Section 1): Updates Section 70503(a) of Title 46, U.S. Code, which prohibits certain activities with controlled substances (illegal drugs regulated by federal law) on "covered vessels" (vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction, like those in U.S. waters or owned by U.S. citizens). Changes include:
- Broadening the introductory language to apply prohibitions more generally (removing the phrase "While on board a covered vessel").
- Specifying that manufacturing, distributing, or possessing with intent to do so must involve placing substances "on board a covered vessel."
- Adding requirements that possession or use occurs "on board a covered vessel."
- Policy Update on Overdose Medications (Section 2(a)-(b)): Requires the Coast Guard Commandant to revise overdose treatment policies within 1 year of enactment, mandating naloxone or similar medications be available at all Coast Guard installations (bases or facilities) and in every operational setting (e.g., during missions at sea or on land).
- Tracking System Participation (Section 2(c)-(d)): Directs the Coast Guard to join a federal tracking system for overdose reversal drugs (established under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024) within 1 year of the system's launch or the bill's enactment, whichever is sooner. Requires a memorandum of understanding (a formal agreement) between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, which oversees the Coast Guard when not in wartime Navy service) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to enable this access.
- Congressional Briefing (Section 2(e)): Mandates a report to two congressional committees (House Transportation and Infrastructure; Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation) within 2 years of enactment. The briefing covers:
- Progress on the policy update.
- Rates of illegal fentanyl and other drug use in the Coast Guard over the prior 5 years.
- Efforts to prevent substance abuse, especially fentanyl.
- Status of the DHS-DoD agreement.
- Review of naloxone uses and opioid incidents at facilities, on assets (e.g., ships), or during operations over the prior 5 years.
- Privacy Protections (Section 2(f)): Ensures all activities comply with federal privacy laws, including the Privacy Act (which protects personal information held by government agencies) and HIPAA privacy rules (which safeguard health information).
- Availability Clarification (Section 2(g)): For multi-facility installations, having naloxone at one central location counts as availability for all if access is ensured at all times.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Controlled Substances Provisions: Previously, the law focused narrowly on actions "while on board" vessels. The amendments expand and clarify scope—for example, intent to place drugs on a vessel is now explicitly prohibited, even if not done while aboard, potentially strengthening prosecutions under maritime drug laws without altering core penalties.
- Overdose Policy: Introduces a new mandate for naloxone availability and tracking, which did not exist before. This builds on but does not replace prior Coast Guard health policies, emphasizing fentanyl (a highly potent synthetic opioid) amid the national opioid crisis.
- No changes to penalties or definitions of controlled substances; focuses on procedural and preparedness updates.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Coast Guard must allocate resources for policy updates, training, medication stocking, and system integration, potentially improving operational safety and response times to overdoses. DHS and DoD face administrative burdens from the agreement but gain better data sharing on substance abuse.
- On Citizens and Personnel: Coast Guard members (about 40,000 active-duty and reserves) benefit from faster overdose treatment, reducing risks during duties. Broader public impact is indirect, via enhanced Coast Guard missions like search-and-rescue or port security, where overdoses could occur.
- On International Relations: Minor; refined vessel drug laws may aid U.S. efforts in international waters to combat drug trafficking, aligning with treaties like those under the United Nations on maritime drug control.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Coast Guard Personnel: Primary beneficiaries and subjects of new policies, including medics, sailors, and commanders responsible for implementation.
- Federal Agencies: Coast Guard (under DHS), DoD (for tracking system), and congressional oversight committees.
- Broader Community: Healthcare providers and overdose response experts involved in naloxone distribution; indirectly, families of service members and the public affected by the opioid epidemic.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces federal drug laws (e.g., under the Controlled Substances Act) by clarifying maritime applications, potentially easing court interpretations. Mandates strict privacy compliance to avoid lawsuits over health data handling.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; aligns with Congress's authority over military-like services (Coast Guard) and interstate commerce (maritime activities) under Article I. Privacy requirements uphold Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches.
- Political: Addresses the opioid crisis (a bipartisan priority, with fentanyl linked to over 70,000 U.S. deaths annually), signaling federal commitment to service member health amid rising synthetic drug threats. Could influence future defense or homeland security budgets for similar initiatives.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Goldman, Craig [R-TX-12], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-10: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2025-06-09: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-06-09: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2547-2548)
- 2025-06-09: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2547-2548)
- 2025-06-09: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2351.
- 2025-06-09: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2547-2548)
- 2025-06-09: Mr. Ezell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-06-06: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 118.
- 2025-06-06: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-149.
- 2025-06-06: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-149.
- 2025-04-02: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 2025-04-02: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-04-02: Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Discharged
- 2025-03-27: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Bill Versions
- An Act To direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdose, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-06-09 — PDF (8 pages)
- To direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdose, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-03-26 — PDF (5 pages)
- An Act To direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdose, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-06-10 — PDF (6 pages)
- To direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdose, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-06-06 — PDF (8 pages)