I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6620 
To authorize grants to address substance use during COVID–19. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 24, 2020 
Ms. KUSTER of New Hampshire (for herself and Mr. KATKO) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To authorize grants to address substance use during 
COVID–19. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) In 2018, an estimated 164,800,000 people 
aged 12 or older in the United States, or 60.2 per-
cent, were past month substance users (including, 
tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs). 
(2) In 2018, nearly 1 in 5 people aged 12 or 
older in the United States, or 19.4 percent, used an 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:52 Apr 27, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6620.IH
H6620
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
illicit drug in the past year, which is a higher per-
centage than in 2015 and 2016. 
(3) In 2018, an estimated 10,300,000 people 
aged 12 or older in the United States misused 
opioids in the past year, including 9,900,000 pre-
scription pain reliever misusers and 808,000 heroin 
users. 
(4) In 2017, overdose deaths involving opioids 
in the United States, including fentanyl, was 6 times 
higher than in 1999. 
(5) The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose 
deaths involving synthetic opioids in the United 
States other than methadone increased by 10 per-
cent from 2017 to 2018. 
(6) In 2018, approximately 20,300,000 people 
aged 12 or older in the United States had a sub-
stance use disorder related to their use of alcohol or 
illicit drugs in the past year. 
(7) In 2018, an estimated 21,200,000 people 
aged 12 or older in the United States needed sub-
stance use treatment. 
(8) According to the Substance Abuse and Men-
tal Health Services Administration, COVID-19 will 
certainly contribute to growth in the numbers re-
ferred to in the preceding paragraphs. Individuals 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:52 Apr 27, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6620.IH
H6620
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
across the United States will struggle with increases 
in depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief. There is 
also anticipated increase in substance misuse in the 
United States as lives are impacted for individuals 
and families. 
SEC. 2. GRANT PROGRAM ON HARMS OF DRUG MISUSE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Assistant Secretary shall 
award grants to States, territories, counties, Tribes, Trib-
al organizations, and community-based entities to address 
the harms of drug misuse, such as by— 
(1) addressing the spread of HIV/AIDS and 
hepatitis C; 
(2) connecting individuals with a substance use 
disorder to overdose education, counseling, and 
health education; or 
(3) encouraging such individuals to take steps 
to reduce the negative personal and public health 
impacts of substance use during any emergency pe-
riod, as defined in subparagraph (B) of section 
1135(g)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1320b–5(g)(1)). 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In prioritizing grant awards 
under this section, the Secretary shall take into account— 
(1) the proportion of people in the area served 
by the applicant who meet criteria for dependence on 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:52 Apr 27, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6620.IH
H6620
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
or abuse of illicit drugs who have not received any 
treatment; 
(2) drug overdose death rates; 
(3) telemedicine infrastructure needs; 
(4) workforce needs; 
(5) prevention and recovery supports; and 
(6) efforts to reduce stigma. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—To carry 
out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated 
$5,000,000 for the period beginning on the date of enact-
ment of this Act and ending on the later of— 
(1) November 30, 2020; and 
(2) the end of the emergency period (as defined 
in section 1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1320b–5(g)(1)(B))). 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:52 Apr 27, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H6620.IH
H6620
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS