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119-hr-5032119th Congress

Nitazene Control Act

Sponsored By: Representative Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Introduced

Summary

Permanently classifies nitazene drugs as Schedule I. This bill would add a classwide definition for benzimidazole-opioids called nitazenes and place them under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act while allowing limited research continuity.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Stricter control of nitazene opioids

If enacted, this bill would place a broad group of nitazene opioids into Schedule I. It would cover salts, isomers, and look‑alike chemicals that meet three tests: a benzimidazole core with a benzyl group at the 2‑position, a basic nitrogen side chain at the 1‑position, and mu‑opioid receptor agonist activity. Examples would include etonitazene, isotonitazene, metonitazene, clonitazene, protonitazene, butonitazene, etodesnitazene, flunitazene, N‑pyrrolidino etonitazene, N‑desethyl isotonitazene, and N‑piperidinyl etonitazene. Any covered drug that was temporarily listed would be treated as permanently Schedule I on the date of enactment. The Attorney General, with Health and Human Services, could issue rules to clarify which chemicals are covered.

18-month waiver for nitazene research

If enacted, approved researchers already studying a nitazene not previously in Schedule I would get a temporary waiver from DEA registration. To qualify, the study must have an active FDA IND or another recognized exemption, IRB (institutional review board) approval before enactment, and notice to the Attorney General within 90 days. The waiver would last up to 18 months after enactment so researchers can apply for registration. During that time, the Attorney General would expedite registration requests. This would not allow new studies to start without proper registration.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

VA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5]

    WA • R

    Sponsored 8/22/2025

  • Rep. Onder, Robert F. [R-MO-3]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 12/15/2025

  • Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 2/20/2026

  • Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 6/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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