S. 331 · Signed into law · Crime and Law Enforcement

HALT Fentanyl Act

What it does

Permanently places all fentanyl-related substances as a class into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, triggering the same criminal penalties as fentanyl analogues (including 10-year mandatory minimums for offen
Establishes an alternative registration process for certain Schedule I research activities, streamlining approval for legitimate scientific research on controlled substances.
Allows registered researchers to perform certain manufacturing activities with small quantities of Schedule I substances without obtaining a separate manufacturing registration.

Official summary

Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the HALT Fentanyl Act This bill permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act. Under the bill, offenses involving fentanyl-related substances are triggered by the same quantity thresholds and subject to the same penalties as offenses involving fentanyl analogues (e.g., offenses involving 100 grams or more trigger a 10-year mandatory minimum prison term). Additionally, the bill establishes a new, alternative registration process for certain schedule I research. The bill also makes several other changes to registration requirements for conducting research with controlled substances, including permitting a single registration for related research sites in certain circumstances, waiving the requirement for a new inspection in certain situations, and allowing a registered researcher to perform certain…

Latest action

Jul 16, 2025: Became Public Law No: 119-26.

Committee: Senate Judiciary