H.R. 2351

119 HR 2351 EH: 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.
 U.S. House of Representatives
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 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 IB
 119th CONGRESS  1st Session
 H. R. 2351
 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 AN ACT
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.
1.
Controlled substance onboard vessels
Section 70503(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking  While on board a covered vessel, an  and inserting  An ;
(2)
by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
(1)
manufacture or distribute, possess with intent to manufacture or distribute, or place or cause to be placed with intent to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance on board a covered vessel;
 ;
(3)
in paragraph (2) by inserting  on board a covered vessel  before the semicolon; and
(4)
in paragraph (3) by inserting  while on board a covered vessel  after  such individual .
2.
Policy and briefing on availability of naloxone to treat opioid overdoses
(a)
Policy
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdoses, including the use of naloxone or other similar medication to treat opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses.
(b)
Availability
The updated policy required under subsection (a) shall require naloxone or other similar medication be available for members of the Coast Guard—
(1)
on all Coast Guard installations; and
(2)
in each operational environment.
(c)
Participation in tracking system
Not later than 1 year after the earlier of the date of enactment of this Act or the date on which the tracking system established under section 706 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 ( 10 U.S.C. 1090  note) is established, the Commandant shall ensure the participation of the Coast Guard in the such tracking system.
(d)
Memorandum of understanding
Not later than 1 year after the earlier of the date of enactment of this Act or the date on which the tracking system established under section 706 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 ( 10 U.S.C. 1090  note) is established, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when not operating as a service in the Navy and the Secretary of Defense shall finalize a memorandum of understanding to facilitate Coast Guard access such tracking system.
(e)
Briefing
(1)
In general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall provide the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a briefing on the use, by members and personnel of the Coast Guard at Coast Guard facilities, onboard Coast Guard assets, and during Coast Guard operations, of—
(A)
naloxone or other similar medication to treat opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses; and
(B)
opioids, including fentanyl.
(2)
Elements
The briefing required under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A)
A description of—
(i)
the progress made in the implementation of the updated policy required under subsection (a);
(ii)
the prevalence and incidence of the illegal use of fentanyl and other controlled substances in the Coast Guard during the 5-year period preceding the briefing;
(iii)
processes of the Coast Guard to mitigate substance abuse in the Coast Guard, particularly with respect to fentanyl; and
(iv)
the status of the memorandum of understanding required under subsection (d).
(B)
For the 5-year period preceding the briefing, a review of instances in which naloxone or other similar medication was used to treat opioid, including fentanyl, overdoses at a Coast Guard facility, onboard a Coast Guard asset, or during a Coast Guard operation.
(f)
Privacy
In carrying out the requirements of this section, the Commandant shall ensure compliance with all applicable privacy law, including section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the  Privacy Act ), and the privacy regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1320d–2  note).
(g)
Rule of construction
For purposes of the availability requirement under subsection (b), with respect to a Coast Guard installation comprised of multiple Coast Guard facilities or units, naloxone or other similar medication available at a single Coast Guard facility within the installation shall be considered to be available to all Coast Guard facilities or units on the installation if appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure access, at all times during operations, to the naloxone or other similar medication contained within such single Coast Guard facility.
    Passed the House of Representatives June 9, 2025.  Kevin F. McCumber,  Clerk.