Opioid Response Enhancement Act

To reauthorize and improve the 21st Century Cures opioid grant program. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Opioid Response Enhancement Act 2. Opioid grant program reauthorization (a) In general Section 1003 of the 21st Century Cures Act ( 42 U.S.C. 290ee–3 (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (2)(A), by adding at the end the following: (iii) For each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, $2,000,000,000. ; and (B) in paragraph (3)— (i) in subparagraph (A)— (I) by striking 2017 and 2018 2019 through 2023 (II) by inserting after paragraph (2)(A), and in each of the fiscal years 2019 through 2023, there is authorized to be appropriated from the Account to the Secretary, for the grant program described in subsection (c)(3), $400,000,000, (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 2017 and 2018 2019 through 2023 (2) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by inserting and Tribal entities grants to States (ii) by inserting and Tribal entities preference to States (iii) by inserting or Tribal entities (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)— (I) by inserting , including activities supported by community-based organizations and counties, carrying out activities (II) by striking to a State (ii) in subparagraph (E), by inserting or Tribal entity State (iii) by adding at the end the following: (F) In addition to carrying out activities related to addressing the opioid epidemic, a State or Tribal entity may use grants awarded under this section for carrying out public-health activities related to addressing other substance abuse, as determined appropriate and as determined to be a substantial or similar public health threat as the opioid epidemic by the State or Tribal entity. ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (3) Targeted response enhancement grants (A) In general Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall use 50 percent of the amount transferred under subsection (b)(2)(A)(iii) in each fiscal year to award supplemental funding grants to at least 10 States and Tribal entities, to expand and enhance grant activities required under this subsection. In awarding such grants, the Secretary shall give preference to areas of greatest need, including as indicated by higher mortality rates associated with opioid overdoses. (B) Use of funds Grants awarded to a State or Tribal entity under this paragraph shall be used for carrying out activities to supplement activities otherwise carried out under this subsection to expand and enhance prevention, treatment, and recovery support efforts in States and Tribal entities hardest hit by the opioid epidemic, which may include public health-related activities such as the following: (i) Expansion of evidence-based strategies for the provision of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services for individuals with opioid use disorders. (ii) Expansion and enhancement of integrated systems of care, including the co-location of services to address the primary and behavioral healthcare needs of individuals with opioid use disorders. (iii) Expansion of efforts to distribute overdose reversal drugs and educate first responders and other relevant community members on the use of such drugs to prevent overdose-related deaths. (iv) Expansion of any activity authorized under the State or Tribal entity grant under paragraph (1) to address the State's or Tribal entity's specific needs related to combatting the opioid crisis. (4) Set aside Of the amount made available for each fiscal year to award grants under paragraph (1), not less than 10 percent of such amount in each such fiscal year shall be provided to Tribal entities. ; (3) by redesignating subsections (d) through (f) as subsections (e) through (g), respectively; (4) by inserting after subsection (c), the following: (d) Technical assistance The Secretary shall provide State agencies and Tribal entities, as applicable through the Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center, with technical assistance concerning— (1) application and submission procedures and award management activities; (2) enhancing outreach and direct support to rural and underserved communities and providers in addressing the opioid crisis; and (3) strengthening data collection data sharing activities to help improve surveillance. ; (5) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated), by inserting shall prioritize providing such funds directly to local communities and counties to address the opioid crisis in areas of unmet need and subsection (c) (6) by adding at the end the following: (h) Tribal entity In this section, the term Tribal entity 25 U.S.C. 5304 . (b) Additional amounts for fiscal year 2018 In addition to amounts otherwise made available for grants under section 1003(c) of the 21st Century Cures Act ( 42 U.S.C. 290ee–3

Summary: Opioid Response Enhancement Act This bill amends the 21st Century Cures Act to reauthorize through FY2023 a program of grants to states and tribal entities to carry out activities addressing the opioid epidemic. It allows states and tribal entities to use the&nbsp;grants to carry out public health-related activities addressing other substance abuse that is a substantial or similar public health threat to the opioid epidemic.