Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 894
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-31: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-19T08:07:12Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act of 2025" aims to reduce substance use and misuse among youth by authorizing federal grants to support partnerships between community coalitions and local schools. These partnerships focus on implementing tailored drug prevention programs in elementary, middle, and high schools.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Key terms include the "Director" (head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, or ONDCP), "Drug-Free Communities funded coalition" (groups receiving prior anti-drug grants), "effective drug prevention programs" (customized strategies to prevent youth substance use based on local needs), "eligible entity" (coalitions with existing grants and school partnerships), "local school" (elementary, middle, or high schools in the coalition's area), "school-community partnership" (collaborations for prevention efforts), and "substance use and misuse" (illegal or harmful use of drugs, alcohol, inhalants, or tobacco, including via electronic devices like vapes).
- Grant Authorization:
- The ONDCP Director can award initial grants to eligible entities to establish school-community partnerships.
- Renewal grants are available for up to three additional years to continue these partnerships.
- Grant limits: No more than $75,000 per fiscal year per entity; only one grant per school to avoid overlap.
- Administration:
- The Director may partner with other federal drug control agencies via interagency agreements to handle grant execution and related tasks.
- Applications must include a detailed plan for prevention programs, submitted by the coalition in coordination with partner schools.
- Use of Funds:
- Funds support implementing prevention plans and obtaining specialized training from designated organizations.
- Grants must supplement (add to) existing federal and non-federal funding for school drug prevention, not replace it.
- Evaluation and Oversight:
- Grantees must follow existing federal evaluation requirements for drug prevention grants, including reporting on program effectiveness.
- Funding:
- Authorizes $7,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2031.
- Up to 8% of funds can cover administrative costs for the ONDCP.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new grant program under the ONDCP, building on the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (which funds community coalitions) and related laws. It expands existing anti-drug efforts by specifically targeting school-based partnerships, adding renewal grants, and including modern elements like prevention for electronic delivery of substances (e.g., vaping). No direct amendments to prior laws are made; instead, it references and applies their definitions, evaluation rules, and training resources.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The ONDCP gains new responsibilities for grant administration, potentially increasing workload but allowing delegation to other agencies. Annual funding could support up to about 90 grants (based on the $75,000 cap), promoting coordinated federal anti-drug strategies.
- On Citizens: Youth in participating schools may benefit from localized prevention programs, potentially lowering substance use rates and improving school environments. Communities could see stronger coalitions and reduced youth drug-related issues.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the focus is domestic school and community programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Eligible Coalitions: Community groups with prior federal anti-drug funding, who lead partnerships and apply for grants.
- Local Schools: Elementary, middle, and high schools partnering with coalitions to implement prevention activities.
- Youth and Families: Primary beneficiaries through reduced access to substances and education on risks.
- Federal Agencies: ONDCP and partner drug control agencies handling oversight and funding.
- Training Organizations: Groups providing specialized assistance to grantees.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces federal support for public health initiatives without overriding state or local authority over schools; ensures accountability through existing evaluation standards and "supplement not supplant" rules to prevent misuse of funds.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power to fund preventive programs, posing no apparent conflicts with federalism (as it incentivizes voluntary partnerships) or free speech/education rights.
- Political: Advances bipartisan anti-drug priorities by targeting youth prevention in schools, potentially influencing future education and health policies; the bill's introduction by representatives from both parties highlights cross-aisle support for community-based solutions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]
Cosponsors (9)
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-31: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-01-31: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-31: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-31 — PDF (6 pages)