Tyler’s Law Passes the House: Why Standard Drug Screens Can Miss Fentanyl

A negative “opiate” result does not mean a negative fentanyl result. Congress is now close to acting on that gap, and it matters for every program that buys drug tests.

What Tyler’s Law does

Tyler’s Law is named for Tyler Shamash, a 19-year-old from Los Angeles who died in 2018 after fentanyl exposure. When he arrived at the emergency room with a suspected overdose, his drug screen did not include fentanyl. His mother, Juli Shamash, has led the push for the legislation.

The House version, H.R. 2004, was introduced by Rep. Ted Lieu with Rep. Bob Latta and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove. It passed by voice vote on September 15, 2026. The Senate version, S. 921, from Sen. Jim Banks and Sen. Alex Padilla, passed unanimously on March 23, 2026.

Under the House bill, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would study how often emergency departments test overdose patients for fentanyl, what that testing costs, and its benefits and risks for patients. HHS would then issue guidance on whether fentanyl testing should become routine.

The guidance would also address how hospitals can make sure clinicians know which substances their routine drug tests actually cover. That point applies well beyond the emergency room.

California already requires emergency departments to include fentanyl in drug screens under its own state Tyler’s Law, passed in 2022. The federal bill is broader in reach but lighter in effect, because it relies on guidance rather than a mandate.

House vs. Senate: what still has to be worked out

The two chambers passed different versions, so Tyler’s Law is not final. The biggest differences are timing and scope. The House bill gives HHS one year to finish its study; the Senate bill gives three.

Neither version requires hospitals, employers, or treatment programs to test for fentanyl. Programs should watch for the final text and any HHS guidance that follows.

Why standard drug screens can miss fentanyl

Many people assume that “opioids” or “opiates” on a drug panel includes fentanyl. It does not. According to Rep. Lieu’s office, fentanyl does not appear on most rapid drug tests, which typically cover only marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and PCP.

An opiate strip, labeled OPI or MOP, is designed to detect morphine and codeine. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid with a different chemical structure, so it needs a dedicated fentanyl strip, labeled FTY or FEN.

A fentanyl strip is not a catch-all either. Detection of norfentanyl and fentanyl analogues depends on the product. Our guide to fentanyl vs. fentanyl analogues explains why carfentanil is a special concern.

Buy by analyte, not by panel count

The lesson of Tyler’s Law applies directly to drug test buyers. A higher panel count does not guarantee fentanyl coverage. What matters is the analyte list: the specific drug codes printed on the cup or dip card.

This is becoming more important as programs add fentanyl, kratom (mitragynine), EtG, tramadol, and synthetic cannabinoids (K2). An “18-panel” label means little until you know which 18 substances it covers. Our guide to what an expanded drug test panel should include in 2026 walks through the options.

When you read a label, look for three things: the FTY or FEN code, the cutoff level (the number after the code, in ng/mL), and the product classification. See our explainer on cutoff levels and detection periods and our drug testing terminology guide.

Which DrugScreens.com tests include fentanyl?

The SAFElife 14 Panel T-Cup with EtG & Fentanyl screens 14 analytes, including FTY at a 20 ng/mL cutoff, with results at 5 minutes. Its live product page classifies it as Forensic Use Only, for professional forensic, correctional, and workplace screening programs.

For programs that need a CLIA waived fentanyl screen, the Healgen Dip Test for Fentanyl is a single-analyte urine dip card that detects fentanyl at 1 ng/mL. It can run alongside an existing cup that lacks FTY. Browse all urine drug test cups, dip cards, and single panel tests.

Urine vs. saliva: know your product classification

Most urine drug test cups and dip cards are CLIA waived, but not all of them. Some expanded-panel cups, including the 14-panel cup above, are Forensic Use Only. Always check the classification on the product page before building a program around a device.

Saliva (oral fluid) drug test kits are never CLIA waived. They are classified for Employment and Insurance use or Forensic Use Only. Our CLIA Waived Testing Guide and CLIA Waived & FDA 510(k) overview explain the difference.

What this means for your program

Treatment centers and sober living homes should confirm that every routine screen includes FTY, and train staff that a negative opiate result does not rule out fentanyl. See our addiction recovery and behavioral health resource and our look at why Texas recovery centers now test for fentanyl every time.

Clinics and healthcare settings can use Tyler’s Law as a prompt to review which analytes their point-of-care tests cover. Our clinical and healthcare testing page covers the options.

Correctional facilities should document their analyte lists and set a clear path for laboratory confirmation. Our correctional facility screening guide covers program setup. Rapid tests give preliminary results; confirm non-negative results with a certified laboratory.

Why the drug testing industry is backing the bill

Tyler’s Law has support from the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Emergency Nurses Association, and the National Drug & Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA), among many other groups. DrugScreens.com is a member of NDASA.

That support reflects a shared view across emergency medicine and the testing industry. Knowing exactly what a drug test detects is a safety issue, not just a purchasing detail.

Frequently asked questions

Does a 10-panel drug test detect fentanyl?

Only if FTY or FEN is one of the ten analytes. Many traditional 10-panel tests do not include fentanyl. Check the analyte list on the label or product page, not the panel count.

Does an opioid or opiate test detect fentanyl?

No. Opiate strips (OPI or MOP) target morphine and codeine. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and needs a dedicated fentanyl strip.

What does FTY mean on a drug test?

FTY is the abbreviation for fentanyl. Some manufacturers use FEN. The number after it, such as FTY20, is the cutoff in nanograms per milliliter.

Which urine drug test cups include fentanyl?

Any cup that lists FTY or FEN in its analyte codes. The SAFElife 14 panel T-Cup (TDOA-8145EF) includes FTY at 20 ng/mL and is Forensic Use Only. The Healgen Dip Test for Fentanyl is a CLIA waived single-analyte option.

Does Tyler’s Law require hospitals to test for fentanyl?

No. As passed by both chambers, Tyler’s Law directs HHS to study emergency department fentanyl testing and issue guidance. It does not create a nationwide testing mandate.

Is Tyler’s Law final?

Not yet. The Senate passed S. 921 in March 2026 and the House passed H.R. 2004 on September 15, 2026. The two versions must be reconciled before the bill can go to the president.

Are saliva drug test kits CLIA waived?

No. Oral fluid (saliva) drug test kits are classified for Employment and Insurance use or Forensic Use Only. They are never CLIA waived.

Sources: H.R. 2004, Tyler’s Law (Congress.gov); S. 921, Tyler’s Law (Congress.gov); Office of Rep. Ted Lieu; Office of Sen. Alex Padilla.

If someone may be overdosing, call 911. For treatment, visit findtreatment.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Disclaimer: This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Any employer or organization considering changes to its workplace or in-house drug screening policies should consult with qualified legal counsel and applicable regulatory authorities before implementing, modifying, or discontinuing any testing program or related procedures.