STUDY ON EXEMPTIONS FOR TREATMENT OF OPIOID USE DISORDER THROUGH OPIOID TREATMENT PROGRAMS DURING THE COVID–19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

SEC. 1251. STUDY ON EXEMPTIONS FOR TREATMENT OF OPIOID USE DISORDER THROUGH OPIOID TREATMENT PROGRAMS DURING THE COVID–19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.(a) Study.—The Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use shall conduct a study, in consultation with patients and other stakeholders, on activities carried out pursuant to exemptions granted—(1) to a State (including the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States) or an opioid treatment program; (2) pursuant to section 8.11(h) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations; and (3) during the period—(A) beginning on the declaration of the public health emergency for the COVID–19 pandemic under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d); and (B) ending on the earlier of—(i) the termination of such public health emergency, including extensions thereof pursuant to such section 319; and (ii) the end of calendar year 2022. (b) Privacy.—The section does not authorize the disclosure by the Department of Health and Human Services of individually identifiable information about patients. (c) Feedback.—In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use shall gather feedback from the States and opioid treatment programs on their experiences in implementing exemptions described in subsection (a). (d) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the end of the period described in subsection (a)(3)(B), and subject to subsection (c), the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use shall publish a report on the results of the study under this section.136 STAT. 5681