School Access to Naloxone Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9251
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-09T21:13:56Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize federal grants that fund the administration of emergency drugs and devices (such as naloxone) by trained school staff to treat known or suspected opioid overdoses at public and private elementary and secondary schools.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: School Access to Naloxone Act of 2026.
- Amendments to Existing Grants (Section 544): Expands allowable uses to include administering emergency treatments in addition to prescribing, and updates funding language to cover the new school-specific program.
- New School Grant Program (Section 544A):
- The Secretary of Health and Human Services may award grants to eligible entities (states, territories, or other qualifying bodies) for use at schools under their jurisdiction.
- Schools must certify they have: a program allowing trained personnel to administer the treatments; an accessible supply of the drugs/devices; a plan to have trained staff on-site during all operating hours; and state attorney general confirmation of adequate civil liability protections.
- Trained personnel include school nurses, health center staff, or other designated individuals who receive documented training meeting medical standards.
- Applications must include required information from the existing grant section plus the new certifications.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds “administering” language to the existing opioid overdose grant program under the Public Health Service Act.
- Introduces a dedicated new section focused exclusively on elementary and secondary schools, with specific certification and planning requirements not present in prior law.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services gains authority to award and oversee new grants; states must review and certify liability laws through their attorneys general.
- Citizens: Increases availability of emergency opioid reversal treatments in school settings, potentially reducing overdose deaths among students.
- Schools: Requires development of administration programs, supply maintenance, and staffing plans, with possible costs offset by federal grants.
- No direct effects on international relations are addressed.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Public and private elementary and secondary schools.
- Trained school personnel (nurses, health staff, and designees).
- Students and their families.
- State attorneys general and state governments.
- The federal Department of Health and Human Services.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Mandates state-level review of civil liability protection laws to ensure they cover school personnel administering emergency treatments.
- Ties grant eligibility to state certification that existing Good Samaritan-style laws provide adequate protection, potentially influencing state policy on liability in school health emergencies.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-06-10: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- School Access to Naloxone Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-10 — PDF (5 pages)