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.

Bill: 119-hr-2351
Sponsor: Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6]
Introduced: 2025-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Coast guard
Congressional oversight
Drug therapy
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use

Summary:
action_date: 2025-03-26
text: 
This bill requires the Coast Guard to provide access to naloxone (a medication to reverse opioid overdoses) at its facilities, track distribution of the medication, and monitor the illegal use of of controlled substances. 

The bill directs the Coast Guard to update its policy regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdoses to require naloxone or a similar medication to be made available to members on all Coast Guard installations and in each operational environment. 

Further, the Coast Guard must participate in the Department of Defense (DOD) tracking system for naloxone distribution and the illegal use of fentanyl and other controlled substances. (The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 directed DOD to establish the tracking system.) The bill requires the Coast Guard to finalize a memorandum of understanding with DOD to facilitate Coast Guard access to the tracking system.

The bill also specifies that laws that prohibit manufacturing or distributing controlled substances on vessels apply when controlled substances are intentionally or knowingly placed or caused to be placed on board a vessel (e.g., without the crew's knowledge or on board an unmanned vessel). 

Further, the bill requires the Coast Guard to brief Congress within two years after the bill's enactment about the use of opioids and overdose medication at Coast Guard facilities by members and personnel. The briefing must describe the Coast Guard's progress in implementing its updated policy, the prevalence and incidence of the illegal use of controlled substances, and its processes to mitigate substance abuse.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-06-10
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2025-06-09
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2025-06-09
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2547-2548)
action_date: 2025-06-09
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2547-2548)
action_date: 2025-06-09
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2351.
action_date: 2025-06-09
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2547-2548)
action_date: 2025-06-09
text: Mr. Ezell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2025-06-06
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 118.
action_date: 2025-06-06
text: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-149.
action_date: 2025-06-06
text: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-149.
action_date: 2025-04-02
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2025-04-02
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2025-04-02
text: Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Discharged
action_date: 2025-03-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2025-03-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2025-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-03-26
text: Introduced in House