H.R. 6902, Reauthorizing and Extending Grants for Recovery from Opioid Use Programs (REGROUP) Act of 2018

Floor Situation

On Wednesday, June 13, 2018, the House will consider H.R. 6902, the Reauthorizing and Extending Grants for Recovery from Opioid Use Programs (REGROUP) Act of 2018, under suspension of the rules. The bill was introduced on June 7, 2018, by Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA) and was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Summary

H.R. 6902 amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to reauthorize the comprehensive opioid abuse grant program through 2023.

Background

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) of 2016 authorized the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program (COAP). The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S. Department of Justice, administers COAP.

The purpose of this program is to provide grants and technical assistance to support state, local, and tribal governments in effectively responding to the opioid epidemic. Grant programs are designed to strengthen law enforcement and community responses to the opioid epidemic in an effort to reduce opioid misuse and the number of overdose fatalities. Moreover, grant programs are also aimed at providing support for and expanding diversion and alternative to incarceration programs for low-level, non-violent offenders.

In FY 2017, 27 awards were made in accordance with the administration’s priorities to strengthen communities, promote safety and combat the opioid epidemic in hard hit rural areas. These included grants to law enforcement agencies to assist in responding to overdoses and training/technical assistance (TTA) providers to assist in providing necessary assistance to states, local communities, and tribes.[1]

Cost

A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate is not currently available. However, the legislation authorizes $330 million a year for fiscal years 2019 through 2023. The $330 million level has already been appropriated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 1625), so this bill brings the COAP authorization level in line with current appropriations.

Staff Contact

For questions or further information please contact Ashley Gutwein with the House Republican Policy Committee by email or at 2-1374.