Texans who provide someone with a fatal dose of fentanyl could face a murder charge under a bill the Texas Senate advanced Tuesday.
, R-Fort Worth, the author of HB 6, did not immediately return a request for comment on Tuesday on whether he would accept Huffman’s amendment. If Goldman signals support for the Senate amendment, this legislation would be very close to becoming law.
Supporters of the legislation argue the enhanced penalties give law enforcement more tools to help address a growing crisis in the state by holding dealers accountable. Over two years, from fiscal year 2019 to 2021, overdose deaths involving fentanyl in the state rose nearly 400%. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates thatThe issue has gained even more attention after the deaths of Texas teens and young adults from fentanyl overdoses, who thought they were taking the attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder drug Adderall.
Critics say increasing penalties for sale and production of fentanyl could discourage people from seeking help for someone suffering from an overdose. “No study has ever shown that increasing penalties for drug usage has ever reduced drug usage in people who have a drug addiction,” said Rep.In other states that have increased penalties for people who sell or make fentanyl,
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