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Read. Follow. Verify.The HERO Act: Opioid Overdose Prevention in Schools
Last action · November 10, 2023: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.Sponsor: Adam Schiff
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What This Bill Would Do
The HERO Act proposes a $1 billion federal grant program to help schools purchase opioid overdose reversal drugs and implement emergency response training. It also requires schools receiving federal funds to report any distribution of these drugs to national emergency and overdose tracking databases.
If passed, this bill would authorize $1 billion in federal funding through 2028 for private and public schools to stock overdose reversal medication and mandate that schools report all instances of drug distribution to federal tracking systems.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Local Educational Agencies
These agencies are eligible to apply for grants and are subject to new reporting requirements for drug distribution.
Private Schools
Private schools are eligible for grants and must comply with reporting requirements if they receive federal funds.
Department of Health and Human Services
The agency is tasked with administering the grant program and reporting to Congress.
Key Facts
- Authorizes $1 billion in federal appropriations for fiscal years 2024 through 2028 for school-based opioid overdose reversal programs.
- Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a competitive grant program for schools within 90 days of enactment.
- Mandates that schools receiving federal funds report any distribution of opioid overdose reversal drugs to NEMSIS and ODMAP databases.
- Grants are available to private elementary/secondary schools, local educational agencies, and charter schools.
Show all 10 facts
- Grant recipients must develop comprehensive emergency response plans in consultation with local health departments.
- Grant recipients must implement educational programming on CPR, drug-use prevention, and overdose response.
- Priority for grants is given to entities in cities or counties with high rates of opioid overdoses.
- Grant periods are limited to 1 year.
- Grant recipients must submit a report to the Secretary one year after the grant period ends detailing drug usage and emergency plans.
- The Secretary must submit an annual report to Congress starting 2 years after enactment summarizing school reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which schools are eligible for these grants?
What must schools do if they distribute an overdose reversal drug?
What is the total funding authorized by this bill?
What else do you want to know?
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
1-800 Contacts, Inc.
2020
“Issues and legislative proposals related to contact lenses Issues related to the Federal Trade Commission Contact Lens Rule Issues related to HR3975 Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act Issues related to COVID-19 response. H.R. 6800, HEROES Act; H.R. 748, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.”
1-800 Contacts, Inc.
2020
“Issues and legislative proposals related to contact lenses Issues related to the Federal Trade Commission Contact Lens Rule Issues related to HR3975 Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act Issues related to COVID-19 response. H.R. 6800, HEROES Act; H.R. 748, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Issues related to S. 4613, The Contact Lens Rule Modernization Act”
1-800 Contacts, Inc.
2020
“Issues and legislative proposals related to contact lenses Issues related to the Federal Trade Commission Contact Lens Rule Issues related to HR3975 Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act Issues related to COVID-19 response. H.R. 6800, HEROES Act; H.R. 748, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Issues related to S. 4613, The Contact Lens Rule Modernization Act”
1-800 Contacts, Inc.
2020
“Issues and legislative proposals related to contact lenses Issues related to the Federal Trade Commission Contact Lens Rule Issues related to HR3975 Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act Issues related to COVID-19 response. H.R. 6800, HEROES Act; H.R. 748, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.”
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
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Discoveries
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www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy30Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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