Overview
Title
To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to enhance the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act wants everyone to keep better track of when people get hurt by taking too much medicine and then share that information to help others stay safe. It also wants to make sure the tools used to collect this information are easy to use and protect people's info like a secret.
Summary AI
The Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act, known formally as S. 5130, seeks to improve how data on opioid overdoses and the use of reversal medication gets collected. It amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 by introducing an enhanced Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program. The bill emphasizes creating and using better data collection tools that can track suspected overdoses and medication administration swiftly and effectively, and encourages entities like states, local governments, and law enforcement coalitions to share this information with various government bodies to address the opioid crisis.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The bill seeks to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 by enhancing the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program. It introduces a key feature: the development and implementation of overdose data collection tools. These tools are intended to track fatal and nonfatal overdoses as well as the administration of opioid overdose reversal medications. The aim is to make this data accessible in near real-time through a web-based, mobile-friendly software platform. The bill encourages participation from states, local governments, coalitions of law enforcement agencies, and Indian tribes.
Significant Issues
One significant issue with the bill is its broad language, particularly in the "Purpose" section. The text lacks specific details about the scope and limitations of the data collection tools, which could lead to various interpretations and affect how effectively the bill is implemented. Furthermore, it remains unclear what specific capabilities the "web-based, mobile-friendly software platform" must meet, which might impact the design and functionality of these tools.
Another major concern is the absence of a clearly designated responsible agency or organization to oversee the act’s implementation. This could lead to confusion about who is accountable for ensuring the act’s provisions are carried out effectively.
Additionally, the bill does not address how interoperability with existing federal, state, local, and tribal data collection tools will be ensured. This lack of clarity could hinder the seamless integration of these new tools, reducing their potential effectiveness.
Privacy and security issues are also paramount, given the sensitive nature of overdose data. The absence of explicit provisions ensuring data privacy and security could pose risks to individuals' personal information.
The eligibility criteria for grants may also be problematic. Specifically, the requirement for coalitions of law enforcement agencies to adhere to the same requirements as states and local governments might impose disproportionately burdensome obligations on these smaller entities, potentially affecting their participation.
Potential Impact on the Public
If implemented successfully, the bill could significantly improve the tracking and management of opioid overdoses across the United States. By having real-time data on overdoses and the use of reversal medications, local authorities and healthcare providers could respond more swiftly to emerging trends and crises, potentially saving lives and improving public health outcomes.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Positive Impacts
Public Health Agencies: With better data collection, these agencies could tailor interventions more precisely, leading to more effective management of opioid-related issues.
Law Enforcement and Health Workers: Enhanced data tools could help these professionals better coordinate their responses to overdoses, potentially reducing fatalities and improving overall emergency response times.
Negative Impacts
Smaller Law Enforcement Coalitions: The requirement to meet the same standards as larger entities for grant eligibility may be taxing, potentially limiting their ability to participate fully in the grant program.
Individuals' Privacy: Without clear measures to ensure data privacy and security, there could be concerns about the mishandling of personal information, which could undermine public trust in the program.
Overall, while the bill has the potential to provide valuable tools and support in the fight against opioid abuse, several critical issues need to be addressed to ensure its effectiveness and acceptance by all stakeholders involved.
Issues
The section titled 'Purpose' is very broad and lacks specificity regarding the scope and limitations of the data collection tools used to track overdoses. This vagueness could lead to varying interpretations of the Act and affect its implementation. There is also a need for clarity on the 'web-based, mobile-friendly software platform,' as the term lacks detail on specific capabilities or requirements that must be met, which is significant for ensuring the tools' effectiveness.
There is no clear designation of the responsible agency or organization for implementing the act within all sections. This omission might lead to confusion about accountability and oversight, which is critical for ensuring the act is implemented effectively and efficiently.
The 'Comprehensive opioid abuse grant program' section does not clearly specify how interoperability with existing Federal, State, local, and Tribal overdose data collection tools will be ensured. This lack of clarity might impede the seamless integration of new tools and is a significant concern for effective data coordination across jurisdictions.
In the 'Comprehensive opioid abuse grant program' section, the requirement for coalitions of law enforcement agencies to meet the same requirements as States, units of local government, and Indian tribes might impose burdensome requirements on smaller coalitions. This could limit their ability to comply with grant conditions, thereby affecting their participation in the program.
Data privacy and security concerns are not addressed in the 'Comprehensive opioid abuse grant program' section, even though the program involves the collection of highly sensitive information regarding overdoses. Addressing how privacy and security of the data collected will be maintained is fundamental to protect individuals' personal information.
The phrase 'Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1),' used in the 'Comprehensive opioid abuse grant program' section regarding eligibility of coalitions for grants, is slightly ambiguous. This could potentially confuse stakeholders about any exceptions being made and might lead to misinterpretations of the eligibility criteria.
The description of the 'audit' required in the grant application process, outlined in the 'Comprehensive opioid abuse grant program' section, is vaguely defined. It lacks detailed guidelines on how it should be conducted or what constitutes a satisfactory audit, leaving room for varied interpretations and potential compliance issues by grant seekers.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this Act is titled the “Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act.”
2. Purpose Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The purpose of this law is to promote the use and integration of tools that gather data on drug overdoses and the use of medications to reverse opioid overdoses. It aims to make this information available in real time through a software platform that can be accessed easily on the web and mobile devices.
3. Comprehensive opioid abuse grant program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish an overdose data collection program. This program allows states, local governments, law enforcement coalitions, and Indian tribes to track and share information about opioid overdoses and the use of reversal medications, aiming to improve public safety and health responses to overdoses.