Nitazene Sanctions Act

Key Points

• The bill targets nitazenes, a class of synthetic opioids that can be more potent than fentanyl, by adding them to the existing Fentanyl Sanctions Act. This expands the government's ability to punish foreign traffickers dealing in these newer, extremely dangerous drugs.
• The bill requires the Secretary of State and Attorney General to submit a joint report within 120 days describing China's role in producing nitazene precursors and laying out a strategy to reduce that production, including by working with European allies.
• Chinese companies that produce or distribute opioid-related goods and fail to take credible steps to prevent trafficking can be designated as foreign opioid traffickers. Senior Chinese government officials who aid trafficking, including through intentional inaction, can also be sanctioned.
• The bill allows sanctions against foreign governments, agencies, or state-owned financial institutions that knowingly contribute to opioid trafficking, support precursor chemical industries, or help transport those precursors.
• The bill extends the authorization of the Fentanyl Sanctions Act from 5 years to 10 years, ensuring these enforcement tools remain available through roughly 2035.