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H.R. 2142 (115th): INTERDICT Act

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The text of the bill below is as of Apr 25, 2017 (Introduced).

Summary of this bill

Source: Republican Policy Committee

H.R. 2142 provides U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enhanced chemical screening devices and scientific support to detect and intercept fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Specifically, this bill will ensure that CBP has additional portable chemical screening devices available at ports of entry and mail and express consignment facilities, and additional fixed chemical screening devices available in CBP laboratories.

Although prescription fentanyl can be misused, most fentanyl deaths are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl and illicit versions of chemically similar compounds known as fentanyl analogs.

The majority of fentanyl trafficked in the United States originates in Mexico or China. The drug is typically smuggled across the U.S. border or sent …

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2142

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 25, 2017

(for herself and Mr. Fitzpatrick) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security

A BILL

To improve the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to interdict fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances that are illegally imported into the United States, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act or the INTERDICT Act.

2.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Chemical screening device

The term chemical screening device means an infrared spectrophotometer, mass spectrometer, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, Raman spectrophotometer, or other scientific instrumentation able to collect data that can be interpreted to determine the presence of fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances.

(2)

Express consignment operator or carrier

The term express consignment operator or carrier has the meaning given that term in section 128.1 of title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (or any similar successor regulation).

(3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Homeland Security.

3.

Interdiction of fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances

(a)

Chemical screening devices

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall—

(1)

increase the number of chemical screening devices available to U.S. Customs and Border Protection over the number of such devices that are available on the date of the enactment of this Act; and

(2)

make such additional chemical screening devices available to U.S. Customs and Border Protection as the Secretary determines are necessary for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to carry out activities to interdict fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances that are illegally imported into the United States, including such substances that are imported through the mail or by an express consignment operator or carrier.

(b)

Personnel To interpret data

The Secretary shall dedicate the appropriate number of personnel, including scientists, to U.S. Customs and Border Protection so that personnel are available during all operational hours to interpret data collected by chemical screening devices.

4.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $15,000,000 to ensure that U.S. Customs and Border Protection—

(1)

has sufficient resources and personnel, including scientists, available during all operational hours to prevent the unlawful importation of fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances; and

(2)

is provided with sufficient chemical screening devices to facilitate the effective and efficient detection and identification of such substances.