July 17, 2025
Ms. Hassan (for herself and Mr. Cornyn) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
To require research with respect to fentanyl and xylazine test strips, to authorize the use of grant funds for such test strips, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Advancing Lifesaving Efforts with Rapid Test strips for Communities Act
or the ALERT Communities Act
.
Sec. 2. Grant program from State and Tribal response to opioid use disorders
The activities carried out pursuant to section 1003(b)(4)(A) of the 21st Century Cures Act (42 U.S.C. 290ee–3 note) may include facilitating access to products used to prevent overdose deaths by detecting the presence of one or more substances, such as fentanyl and xylazine test strips, to the extent the purchase and possession of such products is consistent with Federal and State law.
Sec. 3. First responder training
Section 546(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290ee–1(c)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (3), by striking ; and
and inserting a semicolon;
(2)
in paragraph (4), by striking the period and inserting ; and
; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(5)
train and provide resources for first responders and members of other relevant community sectors on carrying and facilitating access to fentanyl or xylazine test strips.
Sec. 4. Research and marketing frameworks for test strip technology
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Director of the National Institutes of Health, the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, and the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, shall develop and make publicly available research and marketing frameworks for developing, improving, and evaluating test strip technology for detecting fentanyl and other dangerous substances. Such frameworks shall—
(1)
include standards and guidance for manufacturers seeking to develop and test new test strip technology;
(2)
emphasize bringing new test strip technology intended for testing human specimens in clinical settings to support on-site clinical decision-making; and
(3)
include guidance on available authorization pathways for test strips described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
Sec. 5. Study on fentanyl test strip interventions
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall—
(1)
conduct a study on the impact of the availability, accessibility, and usage of drug checking supplies, including test strips, on frequency of overdose, overdose deaths, and engagement in substance use disorder treatment; and
(2)
not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under paragraph (1).