Saving Lives on Campuses Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8499
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-27: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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
- 2026-05-18T14:52:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Saving Lives on Campuses Act of 2026 (H.R. 8499)
Purpose
To mandate the placement of opioid overdose rescue kits—life-saving tools containing medications like naloxone (which reverses opioid overdoses)—at public colleges and universities to prevent deaths from opioid overdoses on campus.
Key Provisions
- Timeline and Scope: Within 1 year of enactment, the Secretary of Education (in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services) must require public institutions of higher education receiving federal funds under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide these kits.
- Required Locations:
- Classrooms, libraries, laboratories, dormitories (including dining areas), and other facilities used for teaching, research, or housing students, faculty, and staff.
- Near automated external defibrillators (AEDs, heart shock devices) where feasible.
- Carried by campus emergency medical services (EMS) personnel.
- Registration and Maintenance:
- Kit locations must be registered with the campus health center or EMS.
- Institutions must replace used or expired kits, provide a list of locations, and train students on kit use and locations during orientation.
- Kit Definition: Must be labeled as an "Overdose Rescue Kit" (e.g., specifying naloxone nasal spray) and contain FDA-approved opioid reversal drugs like Narcan or naloxone.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new federal mandate specifically for public higher education institutions; no prior nationwide requirement for opioid rescue kits on campuses is referenced.
- Ties compliance to receipt of federal Higher Education Act funds, creating a funding condition.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: U.S. Department of Education and Health and Human Services gain oversight responsibilities for enforcement and consultation.
- Citizens: Improves access to immediate overdose reversal on campuses, potentially saving lives among students, faculty, and staff amid the opioid crisis.
- Institutions: Increases operational costs for purchasing, maintaining kits, and training; may enhance campus safety protocols.
- No direct impact on international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Public colleges and universities (must comply to keep federal funding).
- Students, faculty, and staff (gain access to kits and training).
- Campus health centers and EMS personnel (handle registration, maintenance, and use).
- Federal agencies (Departments of Education and HHS for implementation).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on Congress's spending power to condition federal education funds on compliance, a common mechanism for federal mandates on state-funded institutions.
- Constitutional: Likely upheld as it targets public institutions and voluntary federal funding recipients; no apparent First Amendment or federalism issues.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (Republican and Democrat sponsors) reflects opioid crisis urgency; may spur similar state-level actions or expansions to private schools.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-27: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- 2026-04-27: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Saving Lives on Campuses Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-27 — PDF (4 pages)