Bills · S 331
BECAME LAW· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 331Licensing and registrationsResearch administration and funding
HALT Fentanyl Act
INTRO JAN 30· LAST ACTION JUL 16
PASSAGE CHANCES
BECAME LAW
READING
17MIN
COSPONSORS
31
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 8 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it tries to tackle two urgent problems related to the ongoing drug crisis. First, it aims to outmaneuver drug manufacturers who constantly create slightly altered versions of fentanyl to bypass existing drug laws. By classifying a whole group of these "fentanyl-related substances" under federal control, the government seeks to immediately stop the flow of new, unregulated, and often deadly synthetic opioids, which are a major cause of overdose deaths.
Second, it's important for speeding up medical breakthroughs. The current system for researchers to study Schedule I drugs is notoriously slow, hindering valuable research into treatments for addiction, mental health issues, and other conditions. By making it easier for qualified researchers to get permits, the bill could accelerate the discovery of new therapies and a deeper understanding of these substances, which could ultimately save lives. Without this bill, new fentanyl variations might remain legal for longer, and vital research could continue to be delayed by administrative hurdles.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Expands Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to include any substance "structurally related to fentanyl" by specific chemical modifications.
This automatically makes a broad range of new fentanyl-like drugs illegal under federal law, preventing new variations from slipping through legal gaps.
PROVISION 02
Establishes an expedited process for researchers already registered to study Schedule I or II drugs to get approval for new Schedule I research by sending a notice to the Attorney General.
This reduces administrative delays for experienced researchers, potentially speeding up critical studies on controlled substances.
PROVISION 03
Creates an expedited application process for new researchers (not currently registered for Schedule I or II) to apply for Schedule I research registration, requiring the Attorney General to act within 45 days.
This opens up Schedule I research to more qualified scientists by significantly shortening the typical lengthy approval time.
PROVISION 04
Specifies that expedited research procedures apply to studies with an FDA investigational use exemption or those funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Defense, or Department of Veterans Affairs.
This prioritizes and streamlines research efforts deemed important by federal health and defense agencies or those undergoing formal FDA review.
PROVISION 05
Authorizes the Attorney General to publish a list of substances that qualify as fentanyl-related substances under the new Schedule I definition, but clarifies that absence from the list does not mean a substance is not controlled.
This provides clarity for law enforcement and the public about which substances are covered, while maintaining the flexibility of the broad scheduling.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 31
R· Louisiana
YRS IN OFFICE
17
BILLS LED
118
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 40%
DEM 6 REP 24 IND 1
ACTION TIMELINE
38 EVENTSJUL 16
Signed by President.
JUL 16
Became Public Law No: 119-26.
JUL 8
Presented to President.
JUN 12
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2806)
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 331
Congress119th
StatusBecame Law
IntroducedJan 30, 2025
Last actionJul 16, 2025
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BECAME LAW· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 30, 2025
Senate BillS 331Licensing and registrationsResearch administration and funding
HALT Fentanyl Act
INTRODUCED JAN 30, 2025· LAST ACTION JUL 16, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
BECAME LAW
READING
17 min
COSPONSORS
31
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
