# 119-hr-7970: STOP Nitazenes Act

119-hr-7970, STOP Nitazenes Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5] (R-OH); status in_committee (as of 2026-09-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7970
- As of: 2026-09-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-7970
- Congress: 119
- Title: STOP Nitazenes Act
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2026-03-18
- Sponsor: Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5] (R-OH)
- Cosponsors: 10
- Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-21

## Summary

**Permanently classifies nitazene opioids as Schedule I controlled substances.** This bill would define a broad chemical class called “2‑benzylbenzimidazole opioids,” list specific nitazene compounds, and set a timetable and process for the Attorney General to publish and implement rules. - Law enforcement and courts would treat substances that meet the bill’s definition as Schedule I and subject them to Schedule I requirements. This includes named compounds such as isotonitazene and etonitazene. - Researchers and clinicians would face clearer boundaries on which nitazene-type substances fall under Schedule I because the bill spells out structural features and specific named substances. - The Attorney General would have to publish a list of covered substances and issue implementing rules within 1 year. The bill allows interim final rules to take effect immediately and requires a final rule under the Administrative Procedure Act.

## Cosponsors (10)

- Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7] (D-VA), 2026-03-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5] (R-WA), 2026-03-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14] (R-OH), 2026-03-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1] (R-KS), 2026-04-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11] (R-TX), 2026-04-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4] (R-IN), 2026-04-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6] (R-NC), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12] (R-TX), 2026-06-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14] (R-NC), 2026-07-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41] (R-CA), 2026-07-22T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- New Schedule I for nitazene opioids: cost, medium. If enacted, this bill would make any amount of a 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioid (called a nitazene) a Schedule I drug. That includes salts, isomers, and similar chemicals that act on the mu-opioid receptor. The bill names examples like etonitazene and isotonitazene. Any substance temporarily schedule…
- Faster rule timeline for Attorney General: mixed, medium. If enacted, the bill would require the Attorney General to write rules to implement this Act within one year after enactment. The Attorney General would be allowed to issue those rules as interim final rules that take effect right away without showing good cause. Any interim final rule would have t…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-3514: Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025
- 119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act
- 119-hr-1502: North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act
- 119-hr-452: Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act
- 119-hr-1301: Death Tax Repeal Act
- 119-hr-703: Main Street Tax Certainty Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-7970 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7970)

## Related
- [119-hr-3514: Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3514)
- [119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1628)
- [119-hr-1502: North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1502)
- [119-hr-452: Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-452)
- [119-hr-1301: Death Tax Repeal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1301)
- [119-hr-703: Main Street Tax Certainty Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-703)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7970 (as of 2026-09-21).