HERO Act (H.R. 7994)

Summary

Creates a grant program for schools to buy opioid overdose reversal drugs and requires schools receiving federal money to report when the drugs are used.

What problem does this solve?

Opioid overdoses are a growing danger, and they can happen to students or staff on school grounds. This bill gives schools money to buy life-saving drugs and train people on how to respond to an overdose.

What does this bill do?

Creates a grant program for schools

Establishes a grant program run by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for schools to buy opioid overdose reversal drugs and create educational programs.

Requires emergency plans and education

Requires schools getting grants to create an emergency response plan for overdoses and to teach students and the community about CPR and drug use prevention.

Mandates reporting of overdose drug use

Requires any school that receives federal funds to report every time they use an opioid overdose reversal drug to two national information systems, NEMSIS and ODMAP.

Prioritizes high-risk areas

Gives priority for grants to schools in cities or counties that have a high rate of opioid overdoses.

Who does this affect?

Students
School staff (teachers, nurses, administrators)
Local educational agencies

What is the real world impact?

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Saves lives in schools

Provides schools with the tools and training needed to quickly respond to an opioid overdose, which could prevent a student or staff member's death.

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Gathers data on school overdoses

Requires schools to report every time an overdose reversal drug is used. This data helps the government understand the scale of the problem in schools and create better prevention plans.

When does this start?

This bill sets several deadlines that begin after it becomes law.

Grant program start

The grant program for schools must be started no later than 90 days after the bill becomes law.

Overdose reporting start

Schools must begin reporting the use of overdose reversal drugs no later than 90 days after the bill becomes law.

Grant recipient reports

Schools that receive a grant must send a report to the government within one year after their one-year grant period ends.

Government report to Congress

The Secretary of Health and Human Services must report to Congress on the program's results within two years of the bill becoming law, and every year after that.