Coast Guard bill requires naloxone access and updates ship drug laws
Passed one chamberH.R. 2351Latest action
Sponsor: Addison P. McDowell · Representative · NC
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: To direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdose, and for other purposes.
119th Congress
Topics: Jobs & the economy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.
The bill requires naloxone at all Coast Guard sites within a year and tightens vessel drug-crime wording.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill updates federal drug law covering vessels at sea to clarify that certain drug offenses apply specifically to activity aboard covered ships. It also requires the Coast Guard to update its overdose-treatment policy so naloxone or similar medications are available at all installations and operational environments within one year, and to join a Defense Department system tracking overdose medication use.
Who does it affect?
The bill primarily affects Coast Guard personnel, installations, and vessels, as well as individuals prosecuted for drug offenses at sea. It also affects Congress, which will receive oversight briefings on the policy's implementation.
Why does it matter?
The legal changes aim to close potential prosecution loopholes in vessel drug cases, while the overdose policy changes affect how quickly service members can access reversal medication during emergencies. The Coast Guard must also report to Congress within two years on opioid misuse and medication use within the service.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedMar 26, 2025
- House committee
- House vote
- SenateYou are here · Jun 10, 2025
- The president's desk
Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.