Opioid Program Evaluation Act

Opioid Program Evaluation Act or the OPEN Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to identify outcomes and develop metrics to evaluate: (1) the incidence of opioid abuse and illegal opioid distribution, and (2) the effectiveness of a DOJ grant program to provide opioid abuse services.

DOJ must publish outcomes and metrics and require grant recipients to collect and report data. The NAS must publish the evaluations.

(Sec. 3) Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enter into an arrangement with the NAS to identify outcomes and develop metrics to evaluate: (1) the incidence of opioid abuse and illegal opioid distribution, and (2) the effectiveness of HHS grant programs to address opioid abuse.

HHS must publish outcomes and metrics and require grant recipients to collect and report data. The NAS must publish the evaluations.

(Sec. 6) It amends the Justice Assistance Act of 1984 to reduce for FY2022 the authorization of appropriation for financial assistance under the Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance program.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov