DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024
Latest action (23 Dec 2024): Became Public Law No: 118-186.
What this bill does
H.R. 8663, the DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024, amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to expand the responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate. It directs the Directorate, working with the Drug Enforcement Administration, to research, develop, test, and evaluate equipment and reference libraries used to detect illicit drugs such as fentanyl and xylazine. This includes portable detection devices requiring minimal sample handling, equipment able to separate complex drug mixtures for field identification, and technologies using machine learning or artificial intelligence to identify new or unlisted controlled substances.
The bill primarily affects federal agencies, particularly DHS and DEA, as well as state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies that would eventually use improved detection tools developed under this authority. It also requires the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to follow NIST's AI risk-management guidelines and to set research priorities based on current threat-assessment reports from DHS and DEA. The Act clarifies that it does not limit other agencies' existing authority over drug-detection equipment and reference libraries.
The bill was introduced in June 2024 by Rep. Nicolas LaLota, passed Congress, and was signed into law by the President on December 23, 2024. No further legislative action is required; implementation now depends on DHS and DEA carrying out the research and coordination activities the Act authorizes.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Detection Equipment and Technology Evaluation to Counter the Threat of Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024 or the DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024
This act provides statutory authority for the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate to take certain actions to support the detection of drugs such as fentanyl and xylazine.
Specifically, the act provides statutory authority for the directorate's research and development efforts to improve drug detection equipment and reference libraries for law enforcement agencies, including with respect to portable equipment, equipment that can analyze complex samples, and technology that uses artificial intelligence or other techniques to detect new substances. The act additionally requires the directorate to follow certain standards and rely on certain information from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Drug Enforcement Administration, respectively, regarding these efforts.
Timeline
23 Dec 2024
Became Public Law No: 118-186.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 8663 do?
- H.R. 8663, the DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024, amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to expand the responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate. It directs the Directorate, working with the Drug Enforcement Administration, to research, develop, test, and evaluate equipment and reference libraries used to detect illicit drugs such as fentanyl and xylazine. This includes portable detection devices requiring minimal sample handling, equipment able to separate complex drug mixtures for field identification, and technologies using machine learning or artificial intelligence to identify new or unlisted controlled substances. The bill primarily affects federal agencies, particularly DHS and DEA, as well as state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies that would eventually use improved detection tools developed under this authority. It also requires the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to follow NIST's AI risk-management guidelines and to set research priorities based on current threat-assessment reports from DHS and DEA. The Act clarifies that it does not limit other agencies' existing authority over drug-detection equipment and reference libraries. The bill was introduced in June 2024 by Rep. Nicolas LaLota, passed Congress, and was signed into law by the President on December 23, 2024. No further legislative action is required; implementation now depends on DHS and DEA carrying out the research and coordination activities the Act authorizes.
- Has H.R. 8663 become law?
- Yes. H.R. 8663 has been enacted. Status last updated 23 Dec 2024.
- Who sponsored H.R. 8663?
- H.R. 8663 was sponsored by Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1] (R-NY), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 8663?
- Became Public Law No: 118-186. (23 Dec 2024).
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