§278u Xylazine Detection and Analysis

Summary

The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology must lead work to improve how xylazine and other new synthetic opioids and psychoactive drugs are detected and measured. NIST must fund its own research to create better tests and faster measurement tools (including near‑real‑time spectrometry), build data tools to find and share information, form partnerships and consortia with government, schools, labs, public health, nonprofits, and the private sector, and bring those groups together to develop voluntary best practices for safe handling, transport, data sharing, and analysis. The Director must also encourage graduate and post‑graduate research to include detection of these substances. The Director must protect sensitive information with proper security controls. Not later than 1 year after December 19, 2023, the Director must send a report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology about how these actions are being carried out; the report may include suggested legislative changes. Definitions: Director = Director of NIST. Federal laboratory = as defined in section 3703 of this title. Institute = NIST. Institution of higher education = as defined in section 1001 of title 20. Nonprofit organization = described in section 501(c)(3) of title 26 and exempt under section 501(a). Xylazine = a nonopioid veterinary tranquilizer (a methyl benzene compound used as a sedative, emetic, pain reliever, and muscle relaxant).