WORK to Save Lives Act
- Bill Number
- S. 3812
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-19: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-20T11:03:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Workplace Overdose Reversal Kits to Save Lives Act" (or "WORK to Save Lives Act") aims to address opioid overdoses in workplaces by directing the Secretary of Labor, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to provide guidance and regulations on acquiring, maintaining, and training for opioid overdose reversal medications (such as naloxone, a drug that quickly reverses opioid effects).
Key Provisions
- Short Title (Section 1): Establishes the bill's name as the "Workplace Overdose Reversal Kits to Save Lives Act" or "WORK to Save Lives Act."
- Non-Mandatory Guidance for Employers (Section 2): Within 270 days of enactment, OSHA must issue voluntary guidance to employers on:
- Acquiring and maintaining opioid overdose reversal medications.
- Providing annual training to employees on how to use these medications.
- "Employer" is defined under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (a federal law protecting workplace safety), but excludes the United States Postal Service.
- Mandatory Regulations for Federal Agencies (Section 3): Within 270 days of enactment, OSHA must issue required rules for all federal agencies to:
- Acquire and maintain opioid overdose reversal medications.
- Train employees annually on their use.
- "Federal agency" includes any part of the federal government, such as the Veterans Health Administration, overriding certain existing exemptions in veterans' health laws.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces new federal requirements specifically for opioid overdose reversal in workplaces, which were not previously mandated or guided under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
- Overrides a limited exemption in federal veterans' health laws (38 U.S.C. § 7425(b)) to ensure the Veterans Health Administration complies with the training and medication rules.
- Shifts from purely voluntary workplace safety recommendations to mandatory actions for federal entities, while keeping private sector guidance optional.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal agencies, including health-related ones like the Veterans Health Administration, must implement and fund medication stockpiles and annual training programs, potentially increasing administrative and budgetary demands but enhancing employee safety.
- On Citizens: Employees in federal workplaces gain required access to life-saving medications and training, reducing overdose risks; private sector workers may benefit indirectly if employers voluntarily adopt the guidance, promoting broader workplace preparedness for opioid emergencies.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. workplace safety.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies and Employees: Directly required to comply, including all federal workers who may encounter or experience opioid overdoses.
- Private Employers and Employees: Encouraged (but not forced) to adopt practices, affecting businesses and workers in high-risk industries like construction, healthcare, or manufacturing.
- Secretary of Labor and OSHA: Responsible for developing and issuing the guidance and regulations within tight timelines.
- Individuals at Risk of Opioid Overdose: Broader public health beneficiaries, including those with substance use disorders or accidental exposures in work settings.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes enforceable regulations for federal compliance, potentially creating liability protections or requirements for good-faith efforts in overdose response; the override of a veterans' health exemption ensures uniform application but may spark narrow legal challenges on authority scope.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to regulate workplace safety under the Commerce Clause (a part of the U.S. Constitution allowing federal oversight of interstate economic activities); no apparent conflicts with free speech, privacy, or other rights.
- Political: Supports ongoing national efforts to combat the opioid crisis (a public health emergency), likely appealing across party lines by focusing on practical, life-saving measures without imposing broad mandates on private businesses; could influence future labor and health policy expansions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-19: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.
- 2026-02-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-02-10: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Workplace Overdose Reversal Kits to Save Lives Act — issued 2026-02-10 — PDF (3 pages)