Heidi’s Law
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7967
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-17: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-02T22:49:12Z
AI-Generated Summary
H.R. 7967 - "Heidi's Law"
Purpose
This bill aims to update federal workplace drug testing rules to include testing for methadone—a medication often used to treat opioid addiction—and require ongoing reviews to add other emerging drugs. It targets federal employee testing programs and Department of Transportation (DOT) safety-sensitive positions, like truck drivers and pilots.
Key Provisions
- HHS Revisions (Sec. 2): The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must revise the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs within 90 days of enactment to add methadone to the opiates testing category and publish a final notice in the Federal Register (the official government journal for rules).
- DOT Methadone Testing (Sec. 3): The Secretary of Transportation must issue regulations within 60 days after HHS's notice to include methadone in DOT workplace drug tests, matching the updated HHS guidelines.
- Annual HHS Reviews (Sec. 4): HHS must review and, if needed, update the guidelines every year to include new drugs not previously tested, then publish a notice.
- DOT Updates for New Drugs (Sec. 5): DOT must update its regulations within 60 days after each annual HHS notice to add newly identified drugs.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds methadone explicitly to the federal testing panel (previously, opiates testing covered drugs like heroin and morphine but not methadone).
- Mandates annual reviews by HHS to keep testing lists current with emerging substances, a new ongoing requirement.
- Requires DOT to align its rules with HHS updates on a tight timeline, ensuring consistency across federal and transportation testing.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HHS and DOT face new rulemaking duties, with deadlines that could strain resources; federal agencies using these tests (e.g., for hiring or safety) must implement changes.
- Citizens/Workers: Transportation workers and federal employees in tested roles may face stricter screening; those legally using methadone for addiction treatment could test positive, potentially affecting jobs unless exemptions are clarified in rules.
- Workplace Safety: Could reduce risks in safety-critical jobs by detecting more substances, but no international relations impacts noted.
Main Stakeholders
- Federal Employees and Transportation Workers (e.g., pilots, bus drivers, railroad staff) subject to drug testing.
- HHS and DOT as primary implementing agencies.
- Employers in federal and transportation sectors relying on these programs.
- Individuals in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) using methadone legally, who may be indirectly affected.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Builds on existing authority under Public Law 100-71 (federal drug-free workplace laws); tight deadlines may invite lawsuits if missed, but provides clear directives to avoid delays.
- Constitutional: Could raise Fourth Amendment privacy concerns for urine testing, though courts have upheld workplace drug tests for safety-sensitive jobs; no exemptions for therapeutic methadone use might lead to challenges under due process or equal protection.
- Political: Named "Heidi's Law," suggesting a personal story behind it (likely tragedy involving methadone); promotes "zero tolerance" in safety sectors but may spark debate over punishing addiction treatment vs. illicit use. No broad partisan divide evident in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-17: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-03-17: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-03-17: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Heidi’s Law — issued 2026-03-17 — PDF (4 pages)