H.R. 5109 — Introduced in House

I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5109 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 27, 2018Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire (for herself, Mr. Jenkins of West Virginia, Mr. McKinley, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Mr. Poliquin, and Mr. Courtney) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend the 21st Century Cures Act to ensure the equitable distribution of resources to address the opioid epidemic, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Federal Opioid Response Fairness Act of 2018. 2. Equitable distribution of resources to address the opioid epidemic (a) In general The second sentence in paragraph (1) of section 1003(c) of the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114–255; 42 U.S.C. 290ee–3 note) is amended by striking States with an incidence or prevalence of opioid use disorders that is substantially higher relative to other States. and inserting States— (A) with a prevalence of opioid use disorders and associated adverse health effects, including neonatal abstinence syndrome, that is substantially higher relative to other States; and (B) with a per capita prescription opioid, heroin, or synthetic opioid overdose mortality rate that is substantially higher relative to other States. . (b) Minimum amount of grants Section 1003(c) of the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114–255; 42 U.S.C. 290ee–3 note) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) Minimum amount of grants Subject to the availability of appropriations, the amount of a grant awarded under this subsection shall not be less than $5,000,000. . (c) Technical amendment The first sentence in paragraph (1) of section 1003(c) of the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114–255; 42 U.S.C. 290ee–3 note) is amended by striking in accordance with subparagraph (B) and inserting in accordance with paragraph (2). (d) Effective date The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect on October 1, 2018.