Puerto Rico Substance Use and Health Data Collection Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6030
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-12: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-16T09:05:46Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Puerto Rico Substance Use and Health Data Collection Act (H.R. 6030) aims to ensure that Puerto Rico is included in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), a key federal tool for gathering data on substance use, mental health, and related issues. This inclusion would provide more comprehensive national data, particularly for U.S. territories, to support better-informed public health policies.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is titled the "Puerto Rico Substance Use and Health Data Collection Act."
- Amendment to Existing Law: It amends Section 505(d) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa-4(d)) by adding a new subsection (3), which mandates that annual NSDUH surveys include Puerto Rico starting in fiscal year 2026.
- Scope: The requirement applies to surveys conducted under the specified section of the Public Health Service Act, which authorizes the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to carry out these national surveys.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Prior to this amendment, the NSDUH primarily covered the 50 states and the District of Columbia, excluding U.S. territories like Puerto Rico. This bill explicitly expands the survey's geographic scope to include Puerto Rico, marking a targeted addition to federal data collection practices without altering other aspects of the survey methodology or funding.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: SAMHSA and other federal health agencies would need to adjust survey operations, such as sampling methods and logistics, to incorporate Puerto Rico. This could lead to more accurate national statistics, improving resource allocation for substance use prevention and treatment programs.
- On Citizens: Residents of Puerto Rico would benefit from inclusion in national data, potentially leading to tailored federal funding and interventions for substance use and mental health issues. It addresses data gaps that may have previously underrepresented territorial needs.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as this is a domestic policy focused on a U.S. territory; however, it could indirectly enhance U.S. public health reporting in international forums where comprehensive national data is shared.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Puerto Rico Residents and Local Government: Direct beneficiaries through improved visibility of local substance use trends, enabling better state-like access to federal health resources.
- Federal Health Agencies (e.g., SAMHSA): Responsible for implementing the expanded surveys, which may involve additional costs and coordination.
- Members of Congress and Advocacy Groups: Sponsors (e.g., Rep. Hernandez and co-introducers) represent interests in equitable treatment of territories; broader stakeholders include public health organizations focused on data equity.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The amendment is straightforward and builds on existing authority under the Public Health Service Act, requiring no new appropriations (though implementation costs may arise). It promotes consistency in federal survey laws without challenging current statutes.
- Constitutional: Raises questions of equity between states and territories under the U.S. Constitution's Territory Clause (Article IV, Section 3), potentially advancing arguments for uniform treatment in federal programs, though it does not alter Puerto Rico's territorial status.
- Political: Highlights ongoing debates about Puerto Rico's inclusion in federal programs, fostering bipartisan support for data-driven equity (evidenced by diverse sponsors). It could influence future legislation on territorial representation without broader political controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large]
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-12: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-11-12: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Puerto Rico Substance Use and Health Data Collection Act — issued 2025-11-12 — PDF (2 pages)