Bill > S690

This bill, titled the "Overdose RADAR Act," is a comprehensive legislative effort to address the fentanyl and opioid crisis through multiple strategic approaches. The bill establishes grants for states and localities to improve data collection and surveillance on opioid-related overdoses, including enhanced postmortem toxicology testing and electronic death reporting. It proposes elevating the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to a Cabinet-level position and mandates that this office coordinate across federal agencies to prevent duplicative services and create uniform national data reporting standards. The legislation includes provisions for a wastewater pilot program to detect illicit substances like fentanyl in communities, and introduces grants for elementary and secondary schools to administer emergency overdose treatment drugs, requiring schools to have trained personnel and maintain accessible emergency medication. Additionally, the bill expands State Opioid Response Grants to include assessments of challenges in addressing opioid and stimulant misuse, and modifies existing laws to allow for fentanyl test strips to be used as a harm reduction tool. The comprehensive approach aims to improve data collection, prevention, emergency response, and harm reduction strategies in combating the ongoing opioid epidemic.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/690/all-info