HR2351119th CongressWALLET

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.

Sponsored By: Representative McDowell

Passed House

Summary

Would make manufacture, distribution, or possession with intent to distribute controlled substances expressly unlawful when done on board a covered vessel. It would also require the Coast Guard to adopt naloxone policies and make overdose treatments available across installations and operational environments.

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  • Coast Guard personnel: Requires naloxone or similar medications to be available at all installations and in each operational environment, and mandates a policy update and access plan within 1 year.
  • On-board law and enforcement: Clarifies that manufacture, distribution, or possession with intent to distribute is unlawful specifically when it occurs on board a covered vessel, and aligns related subsections to that on-board context.
  • Oversight and privacy: Directs Coast Guard participation in an established tracking system and finalization of an MOU to access it, plus a briefing to House and Senate committees within 2 years that includes a five-year retrospective. Privacy Act and HIPAA-related protections are required.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Naloxone and overdose tracking for Coast Guard

If enacted, the Coast Guard would update its overdose-medicine policy within one year. Naloxone or similar medicine would have to be available at every installation and in every operating setting. One facility’s supply could count for the whole base if members can get it at all times during operations. The Coast Guard would join the national medication tracking system within one year of enactment or when that system starts, whichever comes first. The plan would follow the Privacy Act and HIPAA privacy rules, and an agreement with Defense would be signed to enable access.

Clearer drug crime rules on vessels

If enacted, federal drug-crime rules would be clarified to cover acts done on board covered vessels. It would state that making, distributing, or possessing with intent to distribute drugs while on board is illegal. This on-board focus would help crews and law enforcement understand where the law applies.

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Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

McDowell

NC • R

Cosponsors

  • Goldman (TX)

    TX • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Gillen

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/2/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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