H.R. 7994 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Mar 19, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryBrings overdose reversal drugs to schools
Ever wondered how schools could respond faster if someone overdoses on opioids. This bill sets up a grant program that gives money to schools to buy overdose reversal drugs, which can bring someone back if they stop breathing from an overdose. Schools can also use the grants to teach students and their communities about preventing drug use, recognizing overdoses, and CPR.
How it affects you
If you're a student, parent, or work at a school that receives these grants, your school will have access to overdose reversal medications in case of an emergency. Schools that get the grants will also need to report to national tracking systems whenever they give out these drugs, which helps public health officials understand where overdoses are happening.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 19, 2026)
Helping Educators Respond to Overdoses Act or the HERO Act
This bill establishes a grant program to provide schools with opioid overdose reversal drugs and requires reporting related to the distribution of such drugs.
First, the bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award competitive grants to eligible entities for (1) purchasing approved opioid overdose reversal drugs; and (2) developing and implementing educational programming or resources to promote student and community knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, drug-use prevention and intervention, and emergency responses to drug overdoses. Eligible entities include private elementary and secondary schools, local educational agencies (LEAs), charter schools that are LEAs, and consortia of LEAs.
Second, the bill requires a covered educational institution (i.e., a private school, LEA, or charter school that is an LEA) that receives federal funds to submit a description of any distribution of an opioid overdose reversal drug by such institution to the National Emergency Medical Services Information System and the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program of the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionH. R. 7994
A BILL
HERO Act
Sponsor: Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25) · Introduced Mar 19, 2026 · Education · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 21, 2026: “Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.”