H.R. 2281House116th Congress (2019-2021)Passed House

Easy MAT for Opioid Addiction Act

To direct the Attorney General to amend certain regulations so that practitioners may administer not more than 3 days' medication to a person at one time when administering narcotic drugs for the purpose of relieving acute withdrawal symptoms.

Also known as Easy Medication Access and Treatment for Opioid Addiction Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 4:27 AM UTC

The Easy Medication Access and Treatment for Opioid Addiction Act directs the Attorney General to change federal drug regulations so that doctors and other qualified practitioners can give a patient up to a three‑day supply of narcotic medication to ease acute opioid withdrawal. The change must be made within 180 days of the law’s enactment and must still follow any applicable state, federal, or local controlled‑substance rules. The bill also requires a budget‑impact analysis under the PAYGO rules.

Key Provisions

Within 180 days, the Attorney General must amend 21 CFR 1306.07(b) to permit practitioners to dispense no more than a three‑day supply of narcotic drugs for the purpose of initiating maintenance or detoxification treatment for opioid withdrawal.
The amendment applies only when the practitioner complies with all relevant state, federal, and local controlled‑substance laws.
A budgetary effects statement, as required by the Statutory Pay‑As‑You‑Go Act, must be prepared and submitted before the final vote on the legislation.

Legislative Activity

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14 earlier actions

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

November 18, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 10, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Energy and Commerce Committee

April 10, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

April 11, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee

May 20, 2019

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Energy and Commerce Committee

September 9, 2020

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Energy and Commerce Committee

September 9, 2020

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-587, Part I.

Energy and Commerce Committee

November 16, 2020

HouseCommittee

Committee on the Judiciary discharged.

Judiciary Committee

November 16, 2020

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 485.

November 16, 2020

HouseFloor

Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

November 17, 2020 • 12:51 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5811-5813)

November 17, 2020 • 12:52 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2281.

November 17, 2020 • 12:52 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5811-5812)

November 17, 2020 • 12:59 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

November 17, 2020 • 1:00 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

November 18, 2020

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued November 18, 2020

IIB

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 2281

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

November 18, 2020

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

AN ACT

To direct the Attorney General to amend certain regulations so that practitioners may administer not more than 3 days’ medication to a person at one time when administering narcotic drugs for the purpose of relieving acute withdrawal symptoms.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Easy Medication Access and Treatment for Opioid Addiction Act or the Easy MAT for Opioid Addiction Act.

Dispensation of narcotic drugs for the purpose of relieving acute withdrawal symptoms from opioid use disorder

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall revise section 1306.07(b) of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, so that practitioners, in accordance with applicable State, Federal, or local laws relating to controlled substances, are allowed to dispense not more than a three-day supply of narcotic drugs to one person or for one person’s use at one time for the purpose of initiating maintenance treatment or detoxification treatment (or both).

Determination of budgetary effects

The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

Passed the House of Representatives November 17, 2020.

Cheryl L. Johnson,

Clerk