Combatting Fentanyl Poisonings Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 5573

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-26: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-02-10T09:05:31Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Combatting Fentanyl Poisonings Act of 2025 aims to address the opioid crisis by authorizing federal grant programs focused on preventing fentanyl-related deaths. It targets the illegal distribution of fentanyl (a powerful synthetic opioid) through social media, raises public awareness of its dangers, and protects law enforcement from exposure during operations. The legislation amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, a key federal law that funds state and local crime-fighting efforts, to create these new programs.

Key Provisions

The bill introduces three specific grant programs administered by the U.S. Attorney General through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Funding is reserved from existing federal allocations as follows:

• Grants to Prevent the Sale of Controlled Substances on Social Media Platforms ($10 million reserved):
• Awarded to state and local law enforcement agencies.
• Supports proactive programs to stop the illegal sale, marketing, or distribution of controlled substances (drugs regulated under federal law) via social media.
• Includes prioritizing arrests of online drug sellers and providing education/training for school staff, healthcare providers (clinicians), and the public.
• Education focuses on risks of fentanyl poisoning from fake or counterfeit pills bought online, and common tactics used by online dealers to target potential buyers, especially children.
• Agencies must submit applications with required details.

• Grants to Increase Public Awareness About the Dangers of Fentanyl ($3 million reserved):
• Awarded to nonprofit organizations (tax-exempt groups under IRS Section 501(c)(3)).
• Funds public education campaigns on fentanyl risks.
• Allowed uses include:
• Covering travel for family members of fentanyl victims to speak at events.
• Creating and distributing materials like videos, brochures, books, and graphics.
• Offering counseling or mentoring for those grieving fentanyl-related losses.
• Providing training on naloxone (a medication that reverses opioid overdoses) for parents and school employees.
• Restrictions: Funds cannot buy certain harm reduction items (e.g., drug testing kits, syringes, or safe injection guides), except for naloxone and related training/supplies.
• Maximum grant: $50,000 per organization.

• Grants to Protect Law Enforcement Officers From Fentanyl Exposure ($2 million reserved):
• Awarded to state and local law enforcement agencies.
• Helps equip officers at risk of accidental fentanyl contact during duties (e.g., handling evidence).
• Allowed uses include purchasing and distributing:
• Fentanyl test strips (to detect the drug).
• Portable detection devices (like ion mobility spectrometers, which identify substances quickly in the field).
• Naloxone and related supplies.
• Also covers training on using this equipment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a new Section 509 to Subpart 1 of Part E of Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (34 U.S.C. 10151 et seq.), detailing the three grant programs. The existing Section 509 is redesignated as Section 510 to accommodate this.
• Amends Section 506(a) (34 U.S.C. 10157(a)) to reserve specific amounts ($10 million, $3 million, and $2 million) from the Act's Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds for these new initiatives. This shifts a portion of existing crime-fighting money toward fentanyl-specific efforts without increasing overall federal spending.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Justice (DOJ) and BJA will manage grant applications, awards, and oversight, requiring coordination with HHS for expertise on health risks. State and local agencies may see expanded resources for drug enforcement and training, potentially straining administrative capacity in high-need areas.
• On Citizens: Could reduce fentanyl poisonings through better public education, especially for youth and families, by highlighting online risks and providing overdose reversal tools. Awareness campaigns may empower communities to recognize and respond to fentanyl threats, though benefits depend on grant uptake.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the focus is domestic law enforcement and education; however, it indirectly supports U.S. efforts against international fentanyl trafficking by strengthening local responses.
• Broader effects include potential decreases in overdose deaths (fentanyl is a leading cause) and safer policing, but success relies on effective implementation and local participation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies: Primary recipients for social media enforcement and officer protection grants; they gain tools for arrests, detection, and safety.
• Nonprofit Organizations: Eligible for awareness grants to run campaigns and support services for affected families.
• Public and Vulnerable Groups: Includes parents, school personnel, clinicians, children, and overdose survivors or families, who benefit from education, training, and naloxone access.
• Federal Agencies: DOJ/BJA (grant administration) and HHS (consultation on health aspects).
• Online Platforms and Drug Sellers: Indirectly targeted through enforcement priorities, potentially increasing scrutiny on social media for illegal activity.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Establishes clear federal authority for targeted grants under existing crime control laws, with built-in limits (e.g., on harm reduction spending) to align with anti-drug policies. Requires standard grant applications, promoting accountability without new mandates.
• Constitutional: No major issues; it involves voluntary federal funding for public safety, respecting state/local autonomy. Free speech concerns on social media education are unlikely, as programs focus on factual dangers rather than censorship.
• Political: Introduced with bipartisan support (sponsors from both parties), reflecting consensus on the fentanyl crisis as a public health emergency. It emphasizes prevention and enforcement over treatment expansion, which may appeal to law-and-order priorities but could draw criticism for excluding broader harm reduction. As an amendment to a longstanding law, it integrates into established federal anti-drug frameworks without requiring new appropriations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8]

Cosponsors (11)

Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. DesJarlais, Scott [R-TN-4]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-26: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-09-26: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-26: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Combatting Fentanyl Poisonings Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-26 — PDF (7 pages)