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H.R. 1561: ALERT Communities Act

119th Congress · introduced 2025-02-25 · Health · Latest: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.

federal

What does this mean?

Official title

ALERT Communities Act

Plain summary

Advancing Lifesaving Efforts with Rapid Test strips for Communities Act or the ALERT Communities Act This bill establishes programs and requirements to advance the development and usage of test strips that detect the presence of certain hazardous drugs (e.g., fentanyl, xylazine). Currently, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides grants to government entities to train and provide authorized equipment to first responders and other relevant personnel for emergency treatment of opioid overdoses. The bill expands these grants to include rapid response test strips for detecting the presence of fentanyl, xylazine, and other synthetic opioids or emerging substances in people or within other drugs. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish guidance and standards for test strip manufacturers to support the development, evaluation, and authorization of test strips. Also, HHS must conduct a study and report to Congress on how the availability and usage of test strips and similar equipment impacts the frequency of overdoses and participation in substance use disorder treatment.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

ALERT Communities Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30] · 1 cosponsors

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Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong119-hr1561 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong119 · updated 2026-11-03 by psicol fed-bills