Summary of HR 27 - HALT Fentanyl Act

Bill Overview

• Bill Number: HR 27
• Title: HALT Fentanyl Act
• Introduced: January 03, 2025
• Current Status: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary on February 10, 2025.

Purpose and Intent

The HALT Fentanyl Act aims to address the growing crisis of fentanyl-related overdoses and trafficking in the United States. The bill seeks to enhance law enforcement's ability to combat the distribution of fentanyl and its analogs, which have been linked to a significant increase in overdose deaths.

Key Provisions

While the specific text of the bill is not provided, the HALT Fentanyl Act typically includes the following provisions:
- Enhanced Penalties: The bill may propose stricter penalties for the trafficking and distribution of fentanyl and its analogs.
- Law Enforcement Resources: It could allocate additional resources to law enforcement agencies to improve their capacity to combat fentanyl trafficking.
- Public Health Initiatives: The act may include measures to support public health initiatives aimed at prevention, treatment, and education regarding fentanyl use and overdose prevention.

Impact

The HALT Fentanyl Act is expected to impact:
- Law Enforcement Agencies: Increased funding and resources for agencies tasked with combating drug trafficking.
- Public Health Systems: Enhanced support for programs aimed at reducing fentanyl overdoses and providing treatment for substance use disorders.
- Communities: Potentially safer communities with reduced availability of fentanyl, leading to fewer overdose deaths.

Legislative Timeline

• January 03, 2025: Introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on the Judiciary.
• February 04, 2025: The Rules Committee reported a resolution (H. Res. 93) to the House, allowing for one hour of general debate on the bill.
• February 05, 2025: The House passed H. Res. 93, setting the stage for debate on HR 27.
• February 06, 2025: The House debated the bill for one hour and subsequently passed it by a vote of 312 to 108.
• February 10, 2025: The bill was received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Related Legislation

• HRES 93: A companion resolution that facilitated the consideration of HR 27 in the House.

This summary provides an overview of the HALT Fentanyl Act, outlining its purpose, key provisions, and the anticipated impact on law enforcement and public health. The bill's progress through the legislative process indicates a focused effort to address the fentanyl crisis in the United States.