Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 7019

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Education

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-12: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-02-03T15:36:24Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act of 2026 aims to strengthen efforts to prevent alcohol and substance misuse on college campuses by updating federal requirements for higher education institutions. It expands focus from just preventing illegal drug use and alcohol abuse to include broader substance misuse prevention, treatment, recovery support, and coordination with health agencies. The goal is to promote evidence-based programs that improve access to counseling, recovery services, and crisis intervention for students and employees, ultimately enhancing public health and safety.

Key Provisions

• Updated Requirements for Institutions (Amendments to Section 120 of the Higher Education Act of 1965):
• Institutions must adopt and implement evidence-based or evidence-informed programs to prevent alcohol and substance misuse among students and employees.
• Annual reports to the Department of Education must include details on available counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, recovery, reentry, and support programs (including partnerships with community-based organizations).
• Institutions must describe their policies on misuse rather than just sanctions.
• Reports now cover violations, overdoses, and arrests related to alcohol and substances.

• Federal Support and Coordination (Subsection (c)):
• The Secretary of Education must provide assistance to institutions for compliance.
• Within 180 days of enactment, an interagency agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use) to develop best practices for evidence-based programs, disseminate them, and promote coordination with state agencies administering substance use block grants.
• Within 1 year, issue guidance on program criteria in coordination with HHS.

• Grants and Funding (Subsection (e)):
• Authorizes grants to institutions, consortia, or community-based organizations (including collegiate recovery programs) for evidence-based prevention, education, treatment referral, recovery support, and crisis intervention to reduce illegal substance use and improve health/safety.
• New allowable uses for grants include:
• Recovery support, peer support, and counseling for students with substance use disorders.
• Integrating primary care, mental health, and substance use services on campus.
• Screening, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment for mental health and substance issues.
• Reentry assistance for students on academic probation due to substance use.
• Overdose prevention, including restoring services after disasters or emergencies.
• Education on recognizing substance use disorder signs, community resources, and crisis de-escalation.
• Authorizes $15 million annually for fiscal year 2027 and the next 5 years.

• Certification for Federal Aid (Amendments to Section 487):
• Institutions must certify they have an accessible alcohol and substance misuse prevention program.
• Non-compliance requires proof of knowing and willful failure to implement.

• Reporting and Applicability:
• The Secretary of Education must report to congressional committees on implementation efforts and best practices from grant recipients at 1 year and 3 years after enactment.
• Most amendments apply to institutions starting 2 years after enactment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Shifts terminology from "drug and alcohol abuse prevention" to "alcohol and substance misuse," broadening scope to include legal substances and emphasizing recovery over punishment.
• Replaces vague program requirements with mandates for evidence-based or evidence-informed approaches, adding specifics on treatment, recovery, reentry, and overdose reporting.
• Introduces interagency collaboration with HHS and state agencies, which was not previously required.
• Expands grant uses to include integrated mental health services, overdose prevention, and post-disaster recovery—previously focused more narrowly on prevention and education.
• Changes certification from strict sanctions enforcement to policy descriptions and accessible programs, with a higher bar for proving non-compliance (must show intentional failure).
• Increases authorized funding from prior levels (not specified in original law) to $15 million per year for 6 years.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Education gains responsibilities for guidance, grants, and reporting, requiring coordination with HHS and state agencies. This could strain resources but foster better federal-state partnerships on public health.
• On Citizens (Students and Employees): Improved access to confidential counseling, recovery programs, and crisis support on campuses, potentially reducing overdoses, academic disruptions, and long-term health issues. May benefit underserved students through community partnerships.
• On Higher Education Institutions: Must update programs and reporting within 2 years to maintain federal aid eligibility, increasing administrative burdens but providing grant funding for compliance and services.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. campus health standards could indirectly influence global higher education exchanges by promoting safer environments.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Higher Education Institutions: Primary implementers, responsible for program adoption, reporting, and certification to access federal student aid.
• Students and Employees: Direct beneficiaries of prevention, treatment, recovery, and support services.
• Faculty and Campus Personnel: Involved in education, recognition of issues, and de-escalation training.
• Community-Based Organizations: Partners for recovery programs and service delivery.
• Federal Agencies: Department of Education (oversight, grants) and HHS (best practices, coordination).
• State Agencies: Those administering substance use block grants, for collaboration with campuses.
• Congressional Committees: Education and Workforce (House) and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate), receiving implementation reports.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens enforcement through certification tied to federal aid (under Title IV of the Higher Education Act), but raises the bar for penalties by requiring proof of intentional non-compliance—potentially reducing frivolous challenges but encouraging proactive institution efforts. No new criminal liabilities; focuses on civil/administrative compliance.
• Constitutional: Aligns with federal spending power to condition aid on health/safety programs (no apparent First Amendment or due process issues, as programs emphasize voluntary support over mandates). Evidence-based requirements promote accountability without overreach.
• Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Reps. Leger Fernandez, McBath, Pappas) signals broad support for addressing the opioid and substance crisis on campuses. Could spark debates on funding adequacy versus institutional autonomy, but neutrality in approach (e.g., partnerships over federal mandates) may ease adoption. Long-term, may influence broader substance policy by integrating mental health and recovery in education.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-12: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2026-01-12: Introduced in House
• 2026-01-12: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-12 — PDF (10 pages)