U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
HB1561: ALERT Communities Act
Status: In committee, July 21, 2026
To require research with respect to fentanyl and xylazine test strips, to authorize the use of grant funds for such test strips, and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To require research with respect to fentanyl and xylazine test strips, to authorize the use of grant funds for such test strips, and for other purposes.
From the introduced text, February 25, 2025:
A BILL To require research with respect to fentanyl and xylazine test strips, to authorize the use of grant funds for such test strips, and for other purposes. SECTION 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Advancing Lifesaving Efforts with Rapid Test strips for Communities Act or the ALERT Communities Act . SECTION 2. First responder training Section 546(c) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 290ee-1(c) ) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period and inserting ; and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (5) train and provide resources for first responders and members of other relevant community sectors on carrying and facilitating access to fentanyl or xylazine test strips (as defined in section 5 of the Advancing Lifesaving Efforts with Rapid Test strips for Communities Act ). . SECTION 3. Research and marketing frameworks for test strip technology The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Director of the National Institutes of Health, the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, and the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, shall develop and make publicly available research and marketing frameworks for developing, improving, and …
Sponsors
- Jasmine Crockett (D, HD-030) · primary sponsor
- Lance Gooden (R, HD-005)
Latest actions
- : Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.
- : Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- : Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- : Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- : Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- : Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- : Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- : Introduced in House
Subjects: Research administration and funding, First responders and emergency personnel, Medical tests and diagnostic methods, Government studies and investigations, Medical research, Drug trafficking and controlled substances, Health, Congressional oversight
Common questions
- What is HB1561?
- HB1561 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): ALERT Communities Act.
- What does HB1561 do?
- In its own words: To require research with respect to fentanyl and xylazine test strips, to authorize the use of grant funds for such test strips, and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB1561?
- In committee as of July 21, 2026. Latest action: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0. (July 21, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1561?
- Jasmine Crockett (D, HD-030), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB1561?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1561
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.