Federal Prisons Naloxone Access Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 6789

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-17: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-01-22T15:04:44Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Federal Prisons Naloxone Access Act of 2025 aims to combat opioid overdoses in federal correctional facilities by mandating the availability of opioid antagonists (medications like naloxone that reverse opioid effects) and related training, ensuring quick response to emergencies.

Key Provisions

• Kit Availability and Placement: The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) must maintain an adequate supply of opioid antagonist kits (which include the medication and instructions on recognizing and responding to overdoses) in multiple locations, such as medical units, staff breakrooms, visiting areas, living quarters, recreation spaces, dining halls, work areas, hallways, security checkpoints, and educational or religious spaces.
• Maintenance and Access: Kits must be stored securely at room temperature, away from sunlight, and accessible to facility personnel. Incarcerated individuals must also be able to access kits to administer them during overdoses. Expired kits must be regularly checked and replaced.
• Training Requirements: BOP must provide annual training by medical staff to both personnel (e.g., correctional officers, medical staff, counselors) and incarcerated persons on recognizing overdose signs (like slowed breathing or unconsciousness) and administering the antagonist.
• Documentation: Each use of an antagonist must be recorded, including the location, time, recipient's name, and the administrator's name, title, and relationship to the recipient.
• Liability Protection: Incarcerated persons cannot be held legally responsible for administering a kit in good faith (meaning with honest intent to help).
• Reporting to Congress: BOP must submit an annual report detailing kit availability by facility, overdose incidents, training sessions, and expired kits.
• Definitions: Clarifies terms like "opioid antagonist" (FDA-approved drug that counters opioid effects) and "opioid overdose prevention kit" (includes the drug and guidance materials).
• Funding: Authorizes $6 million for fiscal year 2026 (for initial setup, training, purchases, and reporting) and $2 million each for 2027 and 2028 (for ongoing maintenance and evaluation).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends Chapter 303 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code (which covers BOP operations) by adding a new section (4052) that imposes specific requirements for opioid antagonist access, training, and reporting. Previously, no federal law mandated such widespread availability or training in BOP facilities, though some voluntary programs may have existed. It introduces enforceable standards and funding to address gaps in overdose response.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The BOP will face new operational duties, including kit distribution, training logistics, and annual reporting, supported by dedicated funding to minimize resource strain. This could improve internal emergency protocols across all federal prisons.
• On Citizens: Incarcerated individuals in federal facilities (about 150,000 people) gain better protection from fatal overdoses, potentially saving lives amid the opioid crisis. Families and communities may see indirect benefits through reduced overdose deaths in custody.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as this is a domestic prisons policy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Bureau of Prisons and Personnel: Directly responsible for implementation, training, and compliance.
• Incarcerated Persons: Primary beneficiaries, with expanded access to life-saving tools and protections against liability.
• Congress: Receives oversight reports to monitor effectiveness.
• Medical and Advocacy Groups: Involved in training and may influence future expansions, such as for state prisons.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The good-faith liability shield encourages bystander intervention without fear of punishment, aligning with broader "Good Samaritan" laws that protect emergency aid. It also standardizes documentation to support accountability and potential lawsuits related to overdose responses.
• Constitutional: Reinforces the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment by ensuring access to basic medical interventions in prisons, where deliberate indifference to serious health risks (like overdoses) could otherwise lead to constitutional challenges.
• Political: Addresses the national opioid epidemic in a targeted way, potentially setting a model for state-level reforms. As a standalone bill with modest funding, it signals bipartisan interest in public health without major fiscal controversy, though implementation success depends on BOP execution.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-17: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-17: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Federal Prisons Naloxone Access Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-17 — PDF (5 pages)