Bill Summary
The "Targeting Online Sales of Fentanyl Act" mandates a comprehensive study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the online sale of illicit drugs, specifically focusing on fentanyl, synthetic opioids, and methamphetamine. The study will analyze various aspects, including the business models of online sellers, the impact of these sales on young individuals, and the effectiveness of federal, state, and local government efforts to combat such trafficking. It will also explore collaboration between different government sectors, examine existing law enforcement procedures, and assess the use of technology in identifying and addressing these crimes. The GAO is required to report its findings to Congress within one year of the Act's enactment, highlighting patterns, gaps, and recommendations for improved strategies to combat online drug sales.
Possible Impacts
The "Targeting Online Sales of Fentanyl Act" could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Increased Awareness and Education**: The GAO study mandated by the legislation could lead to heightened public awareness about the risks associated with online drug sales, especially fentanyl and synthetic opioids. This increased awareness may inform individuals, particularly young people, about the dangers of purchasing illicit drugs online, potentially reducing the number of individuals engaging in such risky behaviors.
2. **Improved Law Enforcement Strategies**: By examining the effectiveness of current enforcement mechanisms and identifying gaps in resources or procedures, the study could lead to more effective strategies in combating online drug trafficking. This could result in a decrease in the availability of these substances online, thereby reducing the overall incidence of drug-related harm in communities and potentially saving lives.
3. **Collaboration Between Agencies and Sectors**: The legislation emphasizes the importance of collaboration between federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sectors and NGOs. This could result in enhanced coordination of efforts to combat the online sale of illicit drugs, leading to more comprehensive and effective responses to the opioid crisis. As a result, communities may experience a more unified front against drug trafficking, with better support systems for prevention and recovery initiatives.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5744 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5744
To require a GAO study on the sale of illicit drugs online, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 10, 2025
Mr. Vindman (for himself and Mr. Crenshaw) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and
in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require a GAO study on the sale of illicit drugs online, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Targeting Online Sales of Fentanyl
Act''.
SEC. 2. GAO STUDY ON THE SALE OF ILLICIT DRUGS ONLINE.
(a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
conduct a study on the online sale of fentanyl, synthetic opioids, and
methamphetamine, including--
(1) business models employed by online sellers of fentanyl,
synthetic opioids, and methamphetamine, including an
examination of supply chains, logistics, and strategies
utilized for customer acquisition, retention, and communication
within illicit online marketplaces;
(2) utilization of online illicit drug markets and
providers (as defined in section 2258E of title 18, United
States Code) for facilitating financial transactions in the
online sale of fentanyl, synthetic opioids, and
methamphetamine, with a particular focus on their impact on
individuals who are 18 years of age and younger;
(3) efforts of the Federal Government to combat the online
sale of fentanyl, synthetic opioids, and methamphetamine,
including--
(A) interagency collaboration, including personnel
detailed to other agencies to support efforts to combat
the online trafficking of fentanyl, synthetic opioids,
and methamphetamine, and related illicit finance;
(B) intergovernmental collaboration between the
Federal Government and State, Tribal, local, and
foreign governments;
(C) intersectoral collaboration with the private
sector, including businesses and non-governmental
organizations;
(D) examination of existing procedures followed by
Federal law enforcement agencies in handling cases
related to online sales of fentanyl, synthetic opioids,
and methamphetamine, encompassing the receipt,
investigation, and prosecution processes;
(E) analysis of aggregated outcomes from the past
10 years to identify patterns and areas for
improvement; and
(F) identification of gaps or resource deficiencies
in coordinating and collaborating activities described
in subparagraphs (A) through (E) to combat the online
sale of fentanyl, synthetic opioids, and
methamphetamine;
(4) models utilized by providers, including machine
learning, algorithmic technology, and data analysis techniques,
to effectively detect and combat the sale of fentanyl,
synthetic opioids, and methamphetamine on their platforms;
(5) enforcement mechanisms and processes employed by
providers to penalize users involved in the sale of fentanyl,
synthetic opioids, and methamphetamine, including user
identification, verification procedures, and subsequent
actions, such as account suspension, reporting to law
enforcement agencies, and collaboration with legal proceedings;
and
(6) analysis of referrals to the Federal Government by
providers detailing information about online sales of fentanyl,
synthetic opioids, and methamphetamine, including--
(A) the number of referrals from providers to the
Federal Government;
(B) the number of referrals that were investigated
by the Federal Government, including the agencies
involved in the investigation and the outcome of the
investigation;
(C) the number of referrals that resulted in an
arrest, prosecution, or conviction, including the
offense of the arrest, prosecution, or conviction; and
(D) the number of referrals that were shared by the
Federal Government with a State, Tribal, or local
government, including a law enforcement agency or
prosecutor's office.
(b) Report Required.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to Congress a report containing all findings and
determinations made in carrying out the study required under subsection
(a).
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