H.R. 4739House116th Congress (2019-2021)Passed House

Synthetic Opioid Exposure Prevention and Training Act

Introduced October 18, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 8:56 AM UTC

The Synthetic Opioid Exposure Prevention and Training Act amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to create and enforce safety measures for handling synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. It directs the CBP commissioner to issue a policy, provide training, and supply protective equipment and naloxone to officers, agents, other staff, and detection canines. The law also establishes oversight through regular monitoring and Inspector General audits.

Key Provisions

  • The CBP commissioner must issue a policy outlining protocols for safely handling potential synthetic opioids.
  • Mandatory, recurring training must be provided on opioid exposure risks, safe handling, use of personal protective equipment, and administration of naloxone.
  • CBP must ensure personal protective equipment and opioid antagonists (e.g., naloxone) are available to all personnel and canines at risk of exposure.
  • The commissioner must regularly monitor the policy’s effectiveness and adjust procedures as needed.
  • The Department’s Inspector General must audit compliance at least once during the first three years after the law takes effect.

Legislative Activity

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19 earlier actions
SenateCalendars Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 460.

June 1, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 18, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.

October 18, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

October 18, 2019

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

October 23, 2019

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported.

October 23, 2019

HouseCommittee

Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-318, Part I.

December 3, 2019

HouseCommittee

Committee on Ways and Means discharged.

December 3, 2019

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 259.

December 3, 2019

HouseFloor

Ms. Clarke (NY) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

December 9, 2019 • 4:17 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9369-9370)

December 9, 2019 • 4:17 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4739.

December 9, 2019 • 4:17 PM

HouseFloor

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

December 9, 2019 • 4:25 PM

HouseFloor

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H9381-9382)

December 9, 2019 • 7:02 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 393 - 0 (Roll no. 656).(text: CR H9369)

December 9, 2019 • 7:11 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 393 - 0 (Roll no. 656). (text: CR H9369)

December 9, 2019 • 7:11 PM

HouseFloor

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

December 9, 2019 • 7:11 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

December 10, 2019

SenateCommittee

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

March 11, 2020

SenateCommittee

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-229.

June 1, 2020

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 460.

June 1, 2020

Bill Text

5 versions available

Reading Mode
Latest
Reported to SenateIssued June 1, 2020

II

Calendar No. 460

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 4739

[Report No. 116–229]

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

December 10, 2019

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

June 1, 2020

Reported by Mr. Johnson, with an amendment

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

AN ACT

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to protect U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, agents, other personnel, and canines against potential synthetic opioid exposure, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Synthetic Opioid Exposure Prevention and Training Act.

2.

Protection against potential synthetic opioid exposure within U.S. Customs and Border Protection

(a)

In general

Subtitle B of title IV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 211 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 415 the following new section:

416.

Protection against potential synthetic opioid exposure

(a)

In general

The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall issue a policy that specifies effective protocols and procedures for the safe handling of potential synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, agents, other personnel, and canines, and to reduce the risk of injury or death resulting from accidental exposure and enhance post-exposure management.

(b)

Training

(1)

In general

Together with the issuance of the policy described in subsection (a), the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall require mandatory and recurrent training on the following:

(A)

The potential risk of opioid exposure and safe handling procedures for potential synthetic opioids, including precautionary measures such as the use of personal protective equipment during such handling.

(B)

How to access and administer opioid receptor antagonists, including naloxone, post-exposure to potential synthetic opioids.

(2)

Integration

The training described in paragraph (1) may be integrated into existing training under section 411(l) for U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, agents, and other personnel.

(c)

Personal protective equipment and opioid receptor antagonists

Together with the issuance of the policy described in subsection (a), the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall ensure the availability of personal protective equipment and opioid receptor antagonists, including naloxone, to all U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, agents, other personnel, and canines at risk of accidental exposure to synthetic opioids.

(d)

Oversight

To ensure effectiveness of the policy described in subsection (a)—

(1)

the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall regularly monitor the efficacy of the implementation of such policy and adjust protocols and procedures, as necessary; and

(2)

the Inspector General of the Department shall audit compliance with the requirements of this section not less than once each year for the 5 years after the date of the enactment of this section.

.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 415 the following new item:

Sec. 416. Protection against potential synthetic opioid exposure.

.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Synthetic Opioid Exposure Prevention and Training Act.

2.

Protection against potential synthetic opioid exposure within U.S. Customs and Border Protection

(a)

In general

Subtitle B of title IV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 211 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 415 the following new section:

416.

Protection against potential synthetic opioid exposure

(a)

In general

The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall issue a policy that specifies effective protocols and procedures for the safe handling of potential synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, agents, other personnel, and canines, and to reduce the risk of injury or death resulting from accidental exposure and enhance post-exposure management.

(b)

Training

(1)

In general

Together with the issuance of the policy described in subsection (a), the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall require mandatory and recurrent training on the following:

(A)

The potential risk of opioid exposure and safe handling procedures for potential synthetic opioids, including precautionary measures such as the use of personal protective equipment during such handling.

(B)

How to access and administer opioid receptor antagonists, including naloxone, post-exposure to potential synthetic opioids.

(2)

Integration

The training described in paragraph (1) may be integrated into existing training under section 411(l) for U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, agents, and other personnel.

(c)

Personal protective equipment and opioid receptor antagonists

Together with the issuance of the policy described in subsection (a), the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall ensure the availability of personal protective equipment and opioid receptor antagonists, including naloxone, to all U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, agents, other personnel, and canines at risk of accidental exposure to synthetic opioids.

(d)

Oversight

To ensure effectiveness of the policy described in subsection (a)—

(1)

the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall regularly monitor the efficacy of the implementation of such policy and adjust protocols and procedures, as necessary; and

(2)

the Inspector General of the Department shall audit compliance with the requirements of this section not less than once during the 3-year period after the date of the enactment of this section.

.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 415 the following new item:

Sec. 416. Protection against potential synthetic opioid exposure.

.

June 1, 2020

Reported with an amendment