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Law permanently bans fentanyl-related chemicals as Schedule I drugs

Signed into lawS. 331Latest action

Sponsor: Bill Cassidy · Senator · LA

AIDecoded by AI · checked against the record
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Official title: HALT Fentanyl Act

119th Congress

Topics: Crime & justice

Introduced:

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

In plain words

The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.

The HALT Fentanyl Act permanently bans whole classes of fentanyl-related chemicals and eases rules for legitimate researchers.

45-second read · 4 questions answered below

What does this do?

This law permanently places entire classes of fentanyl-related chemicals into Schedule I, the most restrictive drug category, instead of banning each new variant individually. It updates criminal penalty laws so trafficking or importing these substances carries the same penalties as fentanyl itself, and it streamlines registration and inspection rules for researchers studying Schedule I substances.

Who does it affect?

The law mainly affects law enforcement, prosecutors, and people manufacturing, distributing, or trafficking fentanyl-like drugs. It also affects medical and scientific researchers studying these substances, and indirectly affects the public through changes to the fentanyl supply chain.

Why does it matter?

This closes a legal gap that allowed manufacturers to slightly alter fentanyl's chemical structure to create technically legal substances, expanding criminal liability for trafficking related chemicals. It also requires DEA transparency on special research rules and a government watchdog report on fentanyl research within a year.

AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.

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No call to make

This is law.

Where does it stand?

  1. IntroducedJan 30, 2025
  2. Senate committee
  3. Senate vote
  4. House
  5. The president's desk

Right now: the president signed it. It's law.Now law

Latest action: — Became Public Law No: 119-26.

Data as of October 9, 2026

Recorded votes

Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.

  1. House · · Roll call 166

    As recorded

    Question
    On Passage
    Result:
    Passed
    321
    Nay
    104
    0
    7

    Republicans 217 yes, 1 no, 2 not voting · Democrats 104 yes, 103 no, 5 not voting

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

  2. Senate · · Roll call 127

    As recorded

    Question
    On Passage of the Bill S. 331
    Result:
    Bill Passed
    84
    Nay
    16
    0
    0

    Republicans 53 yes · Democrats 30 yes, 15 no · Independents 1 yes, 1 no

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

  3. Senate · · Roll call 124

    As recorded

    Question
    On the Motion S. 331
    Result:
    Cloture Motion Agreed to
    84
    Nay
    15
    0
    1

    Republicans 53 yes · Democrats 30 yes, 14 no, 1 not voting · Independents 1 yes, 1 no

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

1 earlier vote

  1. Senate · · Roll call 110

    As recorded

    Question
    On S. 331
    Result:
    Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to
    82
    Nay
    12
    0
    6

    Republicans 51 yes, 2 not voting · Democrats 29 yes, 12 no, 4 not voting · Independents 2 yes

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

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