H. R. 6—173 
any recommendations of the Secretary for additional Fed-
eral or State requirements for protection of this informa-
tion; 
‘‘(F) determines the progress of States or localities in 
implementing technological alternatives to centralized data 
storage, such as peer-to-peer file sharing or data pointer 
systems, in PDMPs and the potential for such alternatives 
to enhance the privacy and security of individually identifi-
able data; and 
‘‘(G) evaluates the penalties that States or localities 
have enacted for the unauthorized use and disclosure of 
information maintained in PDMPs, and the criteria used 
by the Secretary to determine whether such penalties 
qualify as appropriate for purposes of subsection (a)(2); 
and 
‘‘(2) submit a report to the Congress on the results of 
the study. 
‘‘(j) ADVISORY COUNCIL.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—A State or locality may establish 
an advisory council to assist in the establishment, improvement, 
or maintenance of a PDMP consistent with this section. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—A State or locality may not use Federal 
funds for the operations of an advisory council to assist in 
the establishment, improvement, or maintenance of a PDMP. 
‘‘(3) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of the Congress 
that, in establishing an advisory council to assist in the 
establishment, improvement, or maintenance of a PDMP, a 
State or locality should consult with appropriate professional 
boards and other interested parties. 
‘‘(k) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘controlled substance’ means a controlled 
substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Sub-
stances Act) in schedule II, III, or IV of section 202 of such 
Act. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘dispense’ means to deliver a controlled sub-
stance to an ultimate user by, or pursuant to the lawful order 
of, a practitioner, irrespective of whether the dispenser uses 
the Internet or other means to effect such delivery. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘dispenser’ means a physician, pharmacist, 
or other person that dispenses a controlled substance to an 
ultimate user. 
‘‘(4) The term ‘interstate interoperability’ with respect to 
a PDMP means the ability of the PDMP to electronically share 
reported information with another State if the information con-
cerns either the dispensing of a controlled substance to an 
ultimate user who resides in such other State, or the dispensing 
of a controlled substance prescribed by a practitioner whose 
principal place of business is located in such other State. 
‘‘(5) The term ‘intrastate interoperability’ with respect to 
a PDMP means the integration of PDMP data within electronic 
health records and health information technology infrastructure 
or linking of a PDMP to other data systems within the State, 
including the State’s Medicaid program, workers’ compensation 
programs, and medical examiners or coroners. 
‘‘(6) The term ‘nonidentifiable information’ means informa-
tion that does not identify a practitioner, dispenser, or an 
ultimate user and with respect to which there is no reasonable
H. R. 6—174 
basis to believe that the information can be used to identify 
a practitioner, dispenser, or an ultimate user. 
‘‘(7) The term ‘PDMP’ means a prescription drug monitoring 
program that is State-controlled. 
‘‘(8) The term ‘practitioner’ means a physician, dentist, 
veterinarian, scientific investigator, pharmacy, hospital, or 
other person licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted, by 
the United States or the jurisdiction in which the individual 
practices or does research, to distribute, dispense, conduct 
research with respect to, administer, or use in teaching or 
chemical analysis, a controlled substance in the course of profes-
sional practice or research. 
‘‘(9) The term ‘State’ means each of the 50 States, the 
District of Columbia, and any commonwealth or territory of 
the United States. 
‘‘(10) The term ‘ultimate user’ means a person who has 
obtained from a dispenser, and who possesses, a controlled 
substance for the person’s own use, for the use of a member 
of the person’s household, or for the use of an animal owned 
by the person or by a member of the person’s household. 
‘‘(11) The term ‘clinical workflow’ means the integration 
of automated queries for prescription drug monitoring programs 
data and analytics into health information technologies such 
as electronic health record systems, health information 
exchanges, and/or pharmacy dispensing software systems, thus 
streamlining provider access through automated queries.’’. 
Subtitle R—Review of Substance Use Dis-
order Treatment Providers Receiving 
Federal Funding 
SEC. 7171. REVIEW OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT PRO-
VIDERS RECEIVING FEDERAL FUNDING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
(in this section referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall conduct a 
review of entities that receive Federal funding for the provision 
of substance use disorder treatment services. The review shall 
include: 
(1) The length of time the entity has provided substance 
use disorder treatment services and the geographic area served 
by the entity. 
(2) A detailed analysis of the patient population served 
by the entity, including but not limited to the number of 
patients, types of diagnosed substance use disorders and the 
demographic information of such patients, including sex, race, 
ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. 
(3) Detailed information on the types of substance use 
disorders for which the entity has the experience, capability, 
and capacity to provide such services. 
(4) An analysis of how the entity handles patients requiring 
treatment for a substance use disorder that the organization 
is not able to treat. 
(5) An analysis of what is needed in order to improve 
the entity’s ability to meet the addiction treatment needs of 
the communities served by that entity.
H. R. 6—175 
(6) Based on the identified needs of the communities served, 
a description of unmet needs and inadequate services and how 
such needs and services could be better addressed to treat 
individuals with methamphetamine, cocaine, including crack 
cocaine, heroin, opioid, and other substance use disorders. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop and submit 
to Congress a plan to direct appropriate resources to entities that 
provide substance use disorder treatment services in order to 
address inadequacies in services or funding identified through the 
survey described in subsection (a). 
Subtitle S—Other Health Provisions 
SEC. 7181. STATE RESPONSE TO THE OPIOID ABUSE CRISIS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1003 of the 21st Century Cures Act 
(Public Law 114–255) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘the authorization of appropriations 
under subsection (b) to carry out the grant program 
described in subsection (c)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (h) 
to carry out the grant program described in subsection 
(b)’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘and Indian Tribes’’ after ‘‘States’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (b); 
(3) by redesignating subsections (c) through (e) as sub-
sections (b) through (d), respectively; 
(4) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (j); 
(5) in subsection (b), as so redesignated— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ‘‘AND 
TRIBAL’’ after ‘‘STATE’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘States for the purpose of 
addressing the opioid abuse crisis within such States’’ 
and inserting ‘‘States and Indian Tribes for the purpose 
of addressing the opioid abuse crisis within such States 
and Indian Tribes’’; 
(iii) by inserting ‘‘or Indian Tribes’’ after ‘‘pref-
erence to States’’; and 
(iv) by inserting before the period of the second 
sentence ‘‘or other Indian Tribes, as applicable’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘to a State’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘Improving 
State’’ and inserting ‘‘Establishing or improving’’; 
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ‘‘preventing 
diversion of controlled substances,’’ after ‘‘treatment 
programs,’’; and 
(iv) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘as the State 
determines appropriate, related to addressing the 
opioid abuse crisis within the State’’ and inserting 
‘‘as the State or Indian Tribe determines appropriate, 
related to addressing the opioid abuse crisis within 
the State or Indian Tribe, including directing resources
H. R. 6—176 
in accordance with local needs related to substance 
use disorders’’; 
(6) in subsection (c), as so redesignated, by striking ‘‘sub-
section (c)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (b)’’; 
(7) in subsection (d), as so redesignated— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘the authorization of appropriations under subsection (b)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subsection (h)’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘subsection (c)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (b)’’; and 
(8) by inserting after subsection (d), as so redesignated, 
the following: 
‘‘(e) INDIAN TRIBES.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section, the term 
‘Indian Tribe’ has the meaning given the term ‘Indian tribe’ 
in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
‘‘(2) APPROPRIATE
MECHANISMS.—The Secretary, in con-
sultation with Indian Tribes, shall identify and establish appro-
priate mechanisms for Tribes to demonstrate or report the 
information as required under subsections (b), (c), and (d). 
‘‘(f) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date on which amounts are first awarded after the date of enact-
ment of this subsection, pursuant to subsection (b), and annually 
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee 
on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report 
summarizing the information provided to the Secretary in reports 
made pursuant to subsection (c), including the purposes for which 
grant funds are awarded under this section and the activities of 
such grant recipients. 
‘‘(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary, including through 
the Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center of the Sub-
stance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, shall 
provide State agencies and Indian Tribes, as applicable, with tech-
nical assistance concerning grant application and submission proce-
dures under this section, award management activities, and 
enhancing outreach and direct support to rural and underserved 
communities and providers in addressing the opioid crisis. 
‘‘(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For purposes of car-
rying out the grant program under subsection (b), there is author-
ized to be appropriated $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2021, to remain available until expended. 
‘‘(i) SET ASIDE.—Of the amounts made available for each fiscal 
year to award grants under subsection (b) for a fiscal year, 5 
percent of such amount for such fiscal year shall be made available 
to Indian Tribes, and up to 15 percent of such amount for such 
fiscal year may be set aside for States with the highest age-adjusted 
rate of drug overdose death based on the ordinal ranking of States 
according to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 1004(c) of the 21st Cen-
tury Cures Act (Public Law 114–255) is amended by striking ‘‘, 
the FDA Innovation Account, or the Account For the State Response 
to the Opioid Abuse Crisis’’ and inserting ‘‘or the FDA Innovation 
Account’’.
H. R. 6—177 
SEC. 7182. REPORT ON INVESTIGATIONS REGARDING PARITY IN 
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER BENE-
FITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 13003 of the 21st Century Cures 
Act (Public Law 114–255) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘with findings of any serious violation 
regarding’’ and inserting ‘‘concerning’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘and the Committee on Education 
and the Workforce’’ after ‘‘Energy and Commerce’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)(1)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘complaints received and number of’’ 
before ‘‘closed’’; and 
(B) by inserting before the period ‘‘, and, for each 
such investigation closed, which agency conducted the 
investigation, whether the health plan that is the subject 
of the investigation is fully insured or not fully insured 
and a summary of any coordination between the applicable 
State regulators and the Department of Labor, the Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services, or the Department 
of the Treasury, and references to any guidance provided 
by the agencies addressing the category of violation com-
mitted’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by subsection (a) 
shall apply with respect to the second annual report required under 
such section 13003 and each such annual report thereafter. 
SEC. 7183. CAREER ACT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’), in consultation 
with the Secretary of Labor, shall continue or establish a program 
to support individuals in substance use disorder treatment and 
recovery to live independently and participate in the workforce. 
(b) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.—In carrying out the activities under 
this section, the Secretary shall, on a competitive basis, award 
grants for a period of not more than 5 years to entities to enable 
such entities to carry out evidence-based programs to help individ-
uals in substance use disorder treatment and recovery to live 
independently and participate in the workforce. Such entities shall 
coordinate, as applicable, with Indian tribes or tribal organizations 
(as applicable), State boards and local boards (as defined in section 
3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
3102), lead State agencies with responsibility for a workforce invest-
ment activity (as defined in such section 3), and State agencies 
responsible for carrying out substance use disorder prevention and 
treatment programs. 
(c) PRIORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In awarding grants under this section, 
the Secretary shall give priority based on the State in which 
the entity is located. Priority shall be given among States 
according to a formula based on the rates described in para-
graph (2) and weighted as described in paragraph (3). 
(2) RATES.—The rates described in this paragraph are the 
following: 
(A) The amount by which the rate of drug overdose 
deaths in the State, adjusted for age, is above the national
H. R. 6—178 
overdose mortality rate, as determined by the Director 
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
(B) The amount by which the rate of unemployment 
for the State, based on data provided by the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics for the preceding 5 calendar years for 
which there is available data, is above the national average. 
(C) The amount by which rate of labor force participa-
tion in the State, based on data provided by the Bureau 
of Labor Statistics for the preceding 5 calendar years for 
which there is available data, is below the national average. 
(3) WEIGHTING.—The rates described in paragraph (2) shall 
be weighted as follows: 
(A) The rate described in paragraph (2)(A) shall be 
weighted 70 percent. 
(B) The rate described in paragraph (2)(B) shall be 
weighted 15 percent. 
(C) The rate described in paragraph (2)(C) shall be 
weighted 15 percent. 
(d) PREFERENCE.—In awarding grants under this section, the 
Secretary shall give preference to entities located in areas within 
States with the greatest need, with such need based on the highest 
mortality rate related to substance use disorder. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible entity’’ means an 
entity that offers treatment or recovery services for individuals 
with substance use disorders, and partners with one or more 
local or State stakeholders, which may include local employers, 
community organizations, the local workforce development 
board, local and State governments, and Indian Tribes or tribal 
organizations, to support recovery, independent living, and 
participation in the workforce. 
(2) INDIAN
TRIBES; 
TRIBAL
ORGANIZATION.—The terms 
‘‘Indian Tribe’’ and ‘‘tribal organization’’ have the meanings 
given the terms ‘‘Indian tribe’’ and ‘‘tribal organization’’ in 
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
(3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ includes only the several 
States and the District of Columbia. 
(f) APPLICATIONS.—An eligible entity shall submit an applica-
tion at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. 
In submitting an application, the entity shall demonstrate the 
ability to partner with local stakeholders, which may include local 
employers, community stakeholders, the local workforce develop-
ment board, local and State governments, and Indian Tribes or 
tribal organizations, as applicable, to— 
(1) identify gaps in the workforce due to the prevalence 
of substance use disorders; 
(2) in coordination with statewide employment and training 
activities, including coordination and alignment of activities 
carried out by entities provided grant funds under section 8041, 
help individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder 
transition into the workforce, including by providing career 
services, training services as described in paragraph (2) of 
section 134(c) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)), and related services described in section 
134(a)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 3174(a)); and
H. R. 6—179 
(3) assist employers with informing their employees of the 
resources, such as resources related to substance use disorders 
that are available to their employees. 
(g) USE OF FUNDS.—An entity receiving a grant under this 
section shall use the funds to conduct one or more of the following 
activities: 
(1) Hire case managers, care coordinators, providers of 
peer recovery support services, as described in section 547(a) 
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290ee–2(a)), or 
other professionals, as appropriate, to provide services that 
support treatment, recovery, and rehabilitation, and prevent 
relapse, recidivism, and overdose, including by encouraging— 
(A) the development and strengthening of daily living 
skills; and 
(B) the use of counseling, care coordination, and other 
services, as appropriate, to support recovery from substance 
use disorders. 
(2) Implement or utilize innovative technologies, which may 
include the use of telemedicine. 
(3) In coordination with the lead State agency with respon-
sibility for a workforce investment activity or local board 
described in subsection (b), provide— 
(A) short-term prevocational training services; and 
(B) training services that are directly linked to the 
employment opportunities in the local area or the planning 
region. 
(h) SUPPORT FOR STATE STRATEGY.—An eligible entity shall 
include in its application under subsection (f) information describing 
how the services and activities proposed in such application are 
aligned with the State, outlying area, or Tribal strategy, as 
applicable, for addressing issues described in such application and 
how such entity will coordinate with existing systems to deliver 
services as described in such application. 
(i) DATA REPORTING AND PROGRAM OVERSIGHT.—Each eligible 
entity awarded a grant under this section shall submit to the 
Secretary a report at such time and in such manner as the Secretary 
may require. Such report shall include a description of— 
(1) the programs and activities funded by the grant; 
(2) outcomes of the population of individuals with a sub-
stance use disorder the grantee served through activities 
described in subsection (g); and 
(3) any other information that the Secretary may require 
for the purpose of ensuring that the grantee is complying with 
all of the requirements of the grant. 
(j) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) PRELIMINARY
REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after 
the end of the first year of the grant period under this section, 
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a preliminary report 
that analyzes reports submitted under subsection (i). 
(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after submitting 
the preliminary report required under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary shall submit to Congress a final report that includes— 
(A) a description of how the grant funding was used, 
including the number of individuals who received services 
under subsection (g)(3) and an evaluation of the effective-
ness of the activities conducted by the grantee with respect
H. R. 6—180 
to outcomes of the population of individuals with substance 
use disorder who receive services from the grantee; and 
(B) recommendations related to best practices for 
health care professionals to support individuals in sub-
stance use disorder treatment or recovery to live independ-
ently and participate in the workforce. 
(k) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023 for purposes of carrying out this section. 
TITLE VIII—MISCELLANEOUS 
Subtitle A—Synthetics Trafficking and 
Overdose Prevention 
SEC. 8001. SHORT TITLE. 
This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Synthetics Trafficking and 
Overdose Prevention Act of 2018’’ or ‘‘STOP Act of 2018’’. 
SEC. 8002. CUSTOMS FEES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 13031(b)(9) of the Consolidated Omni-
bus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (19 U.S.C. 58c(b)(9)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D)(i) With respect to the processing of items that are 
sent to the United States through the international postal 
network by ‘Inbound Express Mail service’ or ‘Inbound EMS’ 
(as that service is described in the mail classification schedule 
referred to in section 3631 of title 39, United States Code), 
the following payments are required: 
‘‘(I) $1 per Inbound EMS item. 
‘‘(II) If an Inbound EMS item is formally entered, the 
fee provided for under subsection (a)(9), if applicable. 
‘‘(ii) Notwithstanding section 451 of the Tariff Act of 1930 
(19 U.S.C. 1451), the payments required by clause (i), as allo-
cated pursuant to clause (iii)(I), shall be the only payments 
required for reimbursement of U.S. Customs and Border Protec-
tion for customs services provided in connection with the proc-
essing of an Inbound EMS item. 
‘‘(iii)(I) The payments required by clause (i)(I) shall be 
allocated as follows: 
‘‘(aa) 50 percent of the amount of the payments shall 
be paid on a quarterly basis by the United States Postal 
Service to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection in accordance with regulations prescribed by 
the Secretary of the Treasury to reimburse U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection for customs services provided in 
connection with the processing of Inbound EMS items. 
‘‘(bb) 50 percent of the amount of the payments shall 
be retained by the Postal Service to reimburse the Postal 
Service for services provided in connection with the customs 
processing of Inbound EMS items. 
‘‘(II) Payments received by U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection under subclause (I)(aa) shall, in accordance with 
section 524 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1524), be 
deposited in the Customs User Fee Account and used to directly
H. R. 6—181 
reimburse each appropriation for the amount paid out of that 
appropriation for the costs incurred in providing services to 
international mail facilities. Amounts deposited in accordance 
with the preceding sentence shall be available until expended 
for the provision of such services. 
‘‘(III) Payments retained by the Postal Service under sub-
clause (I)(bb) shall be used to directly reimburse the Postal 
Service for the costs incurred in providing services in connection 
with the customs processing of Inbound EMS items. 
‘‘(iv) Beginning in fiscal year 2021, the Secretary, in con-
sultation with the Postmaster General, may adjust, not more 
frequently than once each fiscal year, the amount described 
in clause (i)(I) to an amount commensurate with the costs 
of services provided in connection with the customs processing 
of Inbound EMS items, consistent with the obligations of the 
United States under international agreements.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Section 13031(a) of the 
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (19 U.S.C. 
58c(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (6), by inserting ‘‘(other than an item 
subject to a fee under subsection (b)(9)(D))’’ after ‘‘customs 
officer’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (10)— 
(A) in subparagraph (C), in the matter preceding clause 
(i), by inserting ‘‘(other than Inbound EMS items described 
in subsection (b)(9)(D))’’ after ‘‘release’’; and 
(B) in the flush at the end, by inserting ‘‘or of Inbound 
EMS items described in subsection (b)(9)(D),’’ after ‘‘(C),’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on January 1, 2020. 
SEC. 8003. MANDATORY ADVANCE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION FOR 
POSTAL SHIPMENTS. 
(a) MANDATORY ADVANCE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 343(a)(3)(K) of the Trade Act 
of 2002 (Public Law 107–210; 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(K)(i) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations 
requiring the United States Postal Service to transmit the 
information described in paragraphs (1) and (2) to the 
Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection for 
international mail shipments by the Postal Service 
(including shipments to the Postal Service from foreign 
postal operators that are transported by private carrier) 
consistent with the requirements of this subparagraph. 
‘‘(ii) In prescribing regulations under clause (i), the 
Secretary shall impose requirements for the transmission 
to the Commissioner of information described in para-
graphs (1) and (2) for mail shipments described in clause 
(i) that are comparable to the requirements for the trans-
mission of such information imposed on similar non-mail 
shipments of cargo, taking into account the parameters 
set forth in subparagraphs (A) through (J). 
‘‘(iii) The regulations prescribed under clause (i) shall 
require the transmission of the information described in 
paragraphs (1) and (2) with respect to a shipment as soon
H. R. 6—182 
as practicable in relation to the transportation of the ship-
ment, consistent with subparagraph (H). 
‘‘(iv) Regulations prescribed under clause (i) shall allow 
for the requirements for the transmission to the Commis-
sioner of information described in paragraphs (1) and (2) 
for mail shipments described in clause (i) to be implemented 
in phases, as appropriate, by— 
‘‘(I) setting incremental targets for increasing the 
percentage of such shipments for which information 
is required to be transmitted to the Commissioner; 
and 
‘‘(II) taking into consideration— 
‘‘(aa) the risk posed by such shipments; 
‘‘(bb) the volume of mail shipped to the United 
States by or through a particular country; and 
‘‘(cc) the capacities of foreign postal operators 
to provide that information to the Postal Service. 
‘‘(v)(I) Notwithstanding clause (iv), the Postal Service 
shall, not later than December 31, 2018, arrange for the 
transmission to the Commissioner of the information 
described in paragraphs (1) and (2) for not less than 70 
percent of the aggregate number of mail shipments, 
including 100 percent of mail shipments from the People’s 
Republic of China, described in clause (i). 
‘‘(II) If the requirements of subclause (I) are not met, 
the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit 
to the appropriate congressional committees, not later than 
June 30, 2019, a report— 
‘‘(aa) assessing the reasons for the failure to meet 
those requirements; and 
‘‘(bb) identifying recommendations to improve the 
collection by the Postal Service of the information 
described in paragraphs (1) and (2). 
‘‘(vi)(I) Notwithstanding clause (iv), the Postal Service 
shall, not later than December 31, 2020, arrange for the 
transmission to the Commissioner of the information 
described in paragraphs (1) and (2) for 100 percent of 
the aggregate number of mail shipments described in clause 
(i). 
‘‘(II) The Commissioner, in consultation with the Post-
master General, may determine to exclude a country from 
the requirement described in subclause (I) to transmit 
information for mail shipments described in clause (i) from 
the country if the Commissioner determines that the 
country— 
‘‘(aa) does not have the capacity to collect and 
transmit such information; 
‘‘(bb) represents a low risk for mail shipments 
that violate relevant United States laws and regula-
tions; and 
‘‘(cc) accounts for low volumes of mail shipments 
that can be effectively screened for compliance with 
relevant United States laws and regulations through 
an alternate means. 
‘‘(III) The Commissioner shall, at a minimum on an 
annual basis, re-evaluate any determination made under 
subclause (II) to exclude a country from the requirement
H. R. 6—183 
described in subclause (I). If, at any time, the Commissioner 
determines that a country no longer meets the require-
ments under subclause (II), the Commissioner may not 
further exclude the country from the requirement described 
in subclause (I). 
‘‘(IV) The Commissioner shall, on an annual basis, 
submit to the appropriate congressional committees— 
‘‘(aa) a list of countries with respect to which the 
Commissioner has made a determination under sub-
clause (II) to exclude the countries from the require-
ment described in subclause (I); and 
‘‘(bb) information used to support such determina-
tion with respect to such countries. 
‘‘(vii)(I) The Postmaster General shall, in consultation 
with the Commissioner, refuse any shipments received 
after December 31, 2020, for which the information 
described in paragraphs (1) and (2) is not transmitted 
as required under this subparagraph, except as provided 
in subclause (II). 
‘‘(II) If remedial action is warranted in lieu of refusal 
of shipments pursuant to subclause (I), the Postmaster 
General and the Commissioner shall take remedial action 
with respect to the shipments, including destruction, sei-
zure, controlled delivery or other law enforcement initia-
tives, or correction of the failure to provide the information 
described in paragraphs (1) and (2) with respect to the 
shipments. 
‘‘(viii) Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed 
to limit the authority of the Secretary to obtain information 
relating to international mail shipments from private car-
riers or other appropriate parties. 
‘‘(ix) In this subparagraph, the term ‘appropriate 
congressional committees’ means— 
‘‘(I) the Committee on Finance and the Committee 
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of 
the Senate; and 
‘‘(II) the Committee on Ways and Means, the Com-
mittee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the 
Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Rep-
resentatives.’’. 
(2) JOINT
STRATEGIC
PLAN
ON
MANDATORY
ADVANCE 
INFORMATION.—Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
and the Postmaster General shall develop and submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a joint strategic plan 
detailing specific performance measures for achieving— 
(A) the transmission of information as required by 
section 343(a)(3)(K) of the Trade Act of 2002, as amended 
by paragraph (1); and 
(B) the presentation by the Postal Service to U.S. Cus-
toms and Border Protection of all mail targeted by U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection for inspection. 
(b) CAPACITY BUILDING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 343(a) of the Trade Act of 2002 
(Public Law 107–210; 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) CAPACITY BUILDING.—
H. R. 6—184 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, with the concurrence 
of the Secretary of State, and in coordination with the 
Postmaster General and the heads of other Federal agen-
cies, as appropriate, may provide technical assistance, 
equipment, technology, and training to enhance the 
capacity of foreign postal operators— 
‘‘(i) to gather and provide the information required 
by paragraph (3)(K); and 
‘‘(ii) to otherwise gather and provide postal ship-
ment information related to— 
‘‘(I) terrorism; 
‘‘(II) items the importation or introduction of 
which into the United States is prohibited or 
restricted, including controlled substances; and 
‘‘(III) such other concerns as the Secretary 
determines appropriate. 
‘‘(B) PROVISION
OF
EQUIPMENT
AND
TECHNOLOGY.— 
With respect to the provision of equipment and technology 
under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may lease, loan, 
provide, or otherwise assist in the deployment of such 
equipment and technology under such terms and conditions 
as the Secretary may prescribe, including nonreimbursable 
loans or the transfer of ownership of equipment and tech-
nology.’’. 
(2) JOINT
STRATEGIC
PLAN
ON
CAPACITY
BUILDING.—Not 
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Postmaster Gen-
eral shall, in consultation with the Secretary of State, jointly 
develop and submit to the appropriate congressional committees 
a joint strategic plan— 
(A) detailing the extent to which U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection and the United States Postal Service 
are engaged in capacity building efforts under section 
343(a)(5) of the Trade Act of 2002, as added by paragraph 
(1); 
(B) describing plans for future capacity building efforts; 
and 
(C) assessing how capacity building has increased the 
ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the 
Postal Service to advance the goals of this subtitle and 
the amendments made by this subtitle. 
(c) REPORT AND CONSULTATIONS BY SECRETARY OF HOMELAND 
SECURITY AND POSTMASTER GENERAL.— 
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until 3 
years after the Postmaster General has met the requirement 
under clause (vi) of subparagraph (K) of section 343(a)(3) of 
the Trade Act of 2002, as amended by subsection (a)(1), the 
Secretary of Homeland Security and the Postmaster General 
shall, in consultation with the Secretary of State, jointly submit 
to the appropriate congressional committees a report on compli-
ance with that subparagraph that includes the following: 
(A) An assessment of the status of the regulations 
required to be promulgated under that subparagraph. 
(B) An update regarding new and existing agreements 
reached with foreign postal operators for the transmission 
of the information required by that subparagraph.
H. R. 6—185 
(C) A summary of deliberations between the United 
States Postal Service and foreign postal operators with 
respect to issues relating to the transmission of that 
information. 
(D) A summary of the progress made in achieving 
the transmission of that information for the percentage 
of shipments required by that subparagraph. 
(E) An assessment of the quality of that information 
being received by foreign postal operators, as determined 
by the Secretary of Homeland Security, and actions taken 
to improve the quality of that information. 
(F) A summary of policies established by the Universal 
Postal Union that may affect the ability of the Postmaster 
General to obtain the transmission of that information. 
(G) A summary of the use of technology to detect 
illicit synthetic opioids and other illegal substances in inter-
national mail parcels and planned acquisitions and 
advancements in such technology. 
(H) Such other information as the Secretary of Home-
land Security and the Postmaster General consider appro-
priate with respect to obtaining the transmission of 
information required by that subparagraph. 
(2) CONSULTATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter 
until the Postmaster General has met the requirement under 
clause (vi) of section 343(a)(3)(K) of the Trade Act of 2002, 
as amended by subsection (a)(1), to arrange for the transmission 
of information with respect to 100 percent of the aggregate 
number of mail shipments described in clause (i) of that section, 
the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Postmaster Gen-
eral shall provide briefings to the appropriate congressional 
committees on the progress made in achieving the transmission 
of that information for that percentage of shipments. 
(d) GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORT.—Not later 
than June 30, 2019, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report— 
(1) assessing the progress of the United States Postal 
Service in achieving the transmission of the information 
required by subparagraph (K) of section 343(a)(3) of the Trade 
Act of 2002, as amended by subsection (a)(1), for the percentage 
of shipments required by that subparagraph; 
(2) assessing the quality of the information received from 
foreign postal operators for targeting purposes; 
(3) assessing the specific percentage of targeted mail pre-
sented by the Postal Service to U.S. Customs and Border Protec-
tion for inspection; 
(4) describing the costs of collecting the information 
required by such subparagraph (K) from foreign postal opera-
tors and the costs of implementing the use of that information; 
(5) assessing the benefits of receiving that information 
with respect to international mail shipments; 
(6) assessing the feasibility of assessing a customs fee 
under section 13031(b)(9) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended by section 8002, on 
international mail shipments other than Inbound Express Mail 
service in a manner consistent with the obligations of the 
United States under international agreements; and
H. R. 6—186 
(7) identifying recommendations, including recommenda-
tions for legislation, to improve the compliance of the Postal 
Service with such subparagraph (K), including an assessment 
of whether the detection of illicit synthetic opioids in the inter-
national mail would be improved by— 
(A) requiring the Postal Service to serve as the con-
signee for international mail shipments containing goods; 
or 
(B) designating a customs broker to act as an importer 
of record for international mail shipments containing goods. 
(e) TECHNICAL CORRECTION.—Section 343 of the Trade Act of 
2002 (Public Law 107–210; 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) is amended in 
the section heading by striking ‘‘ADVANCED’’ and inserting 
‘‘ADVANCE’’. 
(f) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ 
means— 
(1) the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Home-
land Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and 
(2) the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee 
on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Committee 
on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 8004. INTERNATIONAL POSTAL AGREEMENTS. 
(a) EXISTING AGREEMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In the event that any provision of this 
subtitle, or any amendment made by this subtitle, is determined 
to be in violation of obligations of the United States under 
any postal treaty, convention, or other international agreement 
related to international postal services, or any amendment 
to such an agreement, the Secretary of State should negotiate 
to amend the relevant provisions of the agreement so that 
the United States is no longer in violation of the agreement. 
(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this subsection 
shall be construed to permit delay in the implementation of 
this subtitle or any amendment made by this subtitle. 
(b) FUTURE AGREEMENTS.— 
(1) CONSULTATIONS.—Before entering into, on or after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, any postal treaty, convention, 
or other international agreement related to international postal 
services, or any amendment to such an agreement, that is 
related to the ability of the United States to secure the provision 
of advance electronic information by foreign postal operators, 
the Secretary of State should consult with the appropriate 
congressional committees (as defined in section 8003(f)). 
(2) EXPEDITED NEGOTIATION OF NEW AGREEMENT.—To the 
extent that any new postal treaty, convention, or other inter-
national agreement related to international postal services 
would improve the ability of the United States to secure the 
provision of advance electronic information by foreign postal 
operators as required by regulations prescribed under section 
343(a)(3)(K) of the Trade Act of 2002, as amended by section 
8003(a)(1), the Secretary of State should expeditiously conclude 
such an agreement. 
SEC. 8005. COST RECOUPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The United States Postal Service shall, to 
the extent practicable and otherwise recoverable by law, ensure