H.R. 2351 · Passed House · Transportation and Public Works

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.

What it does

Requires the Coast Guard to make naloxone or a similar overdose-reversal medication available to members on all installations and in every operational environment.
Requires the Coast Guard to join the Department of Defense tracking system for naloxone distribution and illegal use of fentanyl and other controlled substances, under a memorandum of understanding with DOD.
Clarifies that laws against manufacturing or distributing controlled substances on vessels apply when drugs are intentionally placed on board, such as without the crew's knowledge or on an unmanned vessel.
Requires a briefing to Congress within two years on opioid use and overdose medication at Coast Guard facilities and progress on the updated policy.

Official summary

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…

Latest action

Jun 10, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation