SAFE Act

12/15/2023, 3:53 PM

Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act or the SAFE Act

This bill permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act. The temporary scheduling order issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration to place fentanyl-related substances into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act expires on December 31, 2024.

It limits the application of mandatory minimum penalties for certain offenses involving fentanyl-related substances, establishes a process to deschedule or remove certain fentanyl-related substances that have a low potential for abuse, and allows a federal court to vacate or reduce the sentence for convictions of offenses involving a fentanyl-related substance that is descheduled or moved to a schedule other than schedule I or II.

The bill establishes a new, alternative registration process for schedule I research. It also makes other changes to registration requirements for conducting research with controlled substances, including

  • permitting a single registration for related research sites in certain circumstances,
  • waiving the requirement for a new inspection in certain situations, and
  • allowing a registered researcher to perform certain manufacturing activities with small quantities of a substance without obtaining a manufacturing registration.

Finally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to analyze the implementation and impact of permanently placing fentanyl-related substances into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

Congress
118

Number
HR - 568

Introduced on
2023-01-26

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

1/26/2023

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act or the SAFE Act

This bill permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act. The temporary scheduling order issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration to place fentanyl-related substances into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act expires on December 31, 2024.

It limits the application of mandatory minimum penalties for certain offenses involving fentanyl-related substances, establishes a process to deschedule or remove certain fentanyl-related substances that have a low potential for abuse, and allows a federal court to vacate or reduce the sentence for convictions of offenses involving a fentanyl-related substance that is descheduled or moved to a schedule other than schedule I or II.

The bill establishes a new, alternative registration process for schedule I research. It also makes other changes to registration requirements for conducting research with controlled substances, including

  • permitting a single registration for related research sites in certain circumstances,
  • waiving the requirement for a new inspection in certain situations, and
  • allowing a registered researcher to perform certain manufacturing activities with small quantities of a substance without obtaining a manufacturing registration.

Finally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to analyze the implementation and impact of permanently placing fentanyl-related substances into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to fentanyl-related substances, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Crime and Law Enforcement

Potential Impact
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Justice
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Government studies and investigations
International law and treaties
Licensing and registrations
Manufacturing
Research administration and funding

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary6/2/2023

Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act or the SAFE Act

This bill permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a dr...


Latest Action2/3/2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.