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HR 2351 119th Congress House Transportation and Public Works Coast guard Congressional oversight Drug therapy Drug trafficking and controlled substances Drug, alcohol, tobacco use

To direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdose, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 26, 2025 Introduced by: McDowell, Addison P. Republican · North Carolina See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 15 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 10, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jun 9, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jun 9, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2547-2548)
Jun 9, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2547-2548)
Jun 9, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2351.
Jun 9, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2547-2548)
Jun 9, 2025
Mr. Ezell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jun 6, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 118.
Jun 6, 2025
Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-149.
Apr 2, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Apr 2, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Apr 2, 2025
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Discharged
Mar 27, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Mar 26, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Mar 26, 2025
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill requires the Coast Guard to provide access to naloxone (a medication to reverse opioid overdoses) at its facilities, track distribution of the medication, and monitor the illegal use of of controlled substances. 

The bill directs the Coast Guard to update its policy regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdoses to require naloxone or a similar medication to be made available to members on all Coast Guard installations and in each operational environment. 

Further, the Coast Guard must participate in the Department of Defense (DOD) tracking system for naloxone distribution and the illegal use of fentanyl and other controlled substances. (The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 directed DOD to establish the tracking system.) The bill requires the Coast Guard to finalize a memorandum of understanding with DOD to facilitate Coast Guard access to the tracking system.

The bill also specifies that laws that prohibit manufacturing or distributing controlled substances on vessels apply when controlled substances are intentionally or knowingly placed or caused to be placed on board a vessel (e.g., without the crew's knowledge or on board an unmanned vessel). 

Further, the bill requires the Coast Guard to brief Congress within two years after the bill's enactment about the use of opioids and overdose medication at Coast Guard facilities by members and personnel. The briefing must describe the Coast Guard's progress in implementing its updated policy, the prevalence and incidence of the illegal use of controlled  substances, and its processes to mitigate substance abuse.

What's happening now June 10, 2025

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3