HR-304 : Became Public Law

Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017

This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to direct the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to register an emergency medical services (EMS) agency to administer controlled substances if the agency submits an application demonstrating that it is authorized to conduct such activity in the state in which the agency practices. The DEA may deny an application if it determines that the registration is inconsistent with the public interest.

An EMS agency may obtain a single registration in each state instead of a separate registration for each location.

A registered EMS agency may deliver, store, and receive controlled substances, subject to specified conditions.

An EMS professional of a registered EMS agency may administer controlled substances in schedules II, III, IV, or V outside the physical presence of a medical director if such administration is authorized under state law and pursuant to a standing or verbal order, subject to specified conditions.

The bill specifies that a hospital-based EMS agency (i.e., an EMS agency owned or operated by a hospital) may continue to administer controlled substances under the hospital's DEA registration.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2017-11-17PresidentBecame Public Law No: 115-83.House floor actions
2017-11-17PresidentSigned by President.House floor actions
2017-11-07FloorPresented to President.House floor actions
2017-11-02ResolvingDifferencesMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2017-11-02ResolvingDifferencesOn motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection. (text as House agreed to Senate Amendment: CR H8421-8422)House floor actions
2017-11-02FloorMr. Hudson asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H8421-8422)House floor actions
2017-10-25FloorMessage on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
2017-10-24FloorPassed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.Senate
2017-10-24FloorMeasure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6773)Senate
2017-10-24DischargeSenate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent.Senate
2017-01-12CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.House committee actions
2017-01-10IntroReferralReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.Senate
2017-01-09FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2017-01-09VoteOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 0 (Roll no. 25). (text: CR H206-207)House floor actions
2017-01-09FloorConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H218)House floor actions
2017-01-09FloorAt the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.House floor actions
2017-01-09FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 304.House floor actions
2017-01-09FloorConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H206-208)House floor actions
2017-01-09FloorMr. Burgess moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
2017-01-05IntroReferralReferred 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.House floor actions
2017-01-05IntroReferralReferred 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.House floor actions
2017-01-05IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress