INTERDICT Act

To improve the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to interdict fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances that are illegally imported into the United States, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act INTERDICT Act 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Chemical screening device The term chemical screening device (2) Commissioner The term Commissioner (3) Express consignment operator or carrier The term express consignment operator or carrier 3. Interdiction of fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances (a) Chemical screening devices The Commissioner shall— (1) increase the number of chemical screening devices available to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers over the number of such devices that are available on the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) make such additional chemical screening devices available to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers as the Commissioner determines are necessary to interdict fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances that are illegally imported into the United States, including such substances that are imported through the mail or by an express consignment operator or carrier. (b) Personnel to interpret data The Commissioner shall dedicate the appropriate number of U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel, including scientists, so that such personnel are available during all operational hours to interpret data collected by chemical screening devices. 4. Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Commissioner $9,000,000 to ensure that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has resources, including chemical screening devices, personnel, and scientists, available during all operational hours to prevent, detect, and interdict the unlawful importation of fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances. September 21, 2017 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 21, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.) International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act or the INTERDICT Act (Sec. 3) This bill requires the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to: (1) increase the number of chemical screening devices available to CBP officers to interdict fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances that are illegally imported into the United States, including such substances imported through the mail or by an express consignment operator or carrier; and (2) dedicate the appropriate number of CBP personnel, including scientists, to interpret data collected by such devices during all operational hours. (Sec. 4) The bill authorizes appropriations to the CBP to ensure that the necessary screening and interdiction resources are available during all operational hours.