Safe Response Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2532
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-30: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-25T16:03:49Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation reauthorizes and updates the first responder training program to improve responses to drug overdoses. It expands the program's focus beyond opioids and provides continued funding through 2030.
Key Provisions
- Establishes the short title as the "Safe Response Act."
- Amends Section 546 of the Public Health Service Act to:
- Update capitalization for "Tribes and Tribal."
- Replace references to "approved or cleared" medical products with "approved, cleared, or otherwise legally marketed."
- Remove specific mentions of "opioid" in multiple sections, broadening the program to cover overdoses from other drugs.
- Update training descriptions to include "other drug" overdoses and general overdose responses.
- Increases annual funding authorization from $36,000,000 (fiscal years 2019–2023) to $57,000,000 (fiscal years 2026–2030).
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill broadens the training program from an opioid-focused effort to one addressing overdoses from various substances. It also modernizes language on product approvals and updates terminology for tribal entities. Funding is extended and increased for five additional years.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services and related programs would receive higher funding and broader authority to support training initiatives.
- Citizens: First responders and communities could gain access to updated training and tools for responding to a wider range of overdoses.
- No direct effects on international relations are outlined in the bill.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- First responders and emergency medical personnel.
- Tribal governments and organizations.
- State and local health agencies.
- Individuals and families affected by drug overdoses.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill contains no major constitutional changes or new legal mandates beyond standard reauthorization and funding adjustments. It reflects a shift toward a more inclusive public health approach to overdose prevention without altering existing regulatory frameworks.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-30: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2025-07-30: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Safe Response Act — issued 2025-07-30 — PDF (2 pages)