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Bill > HB1496
TX HB1496
TX HB1496Relating to the use, possession, delivery, or manufacture of testing equipment that identifies the presence of fentanyl, alpha-methylfentanyl, or any other derivative or controlled substance analogue of fentanyl.
summary
Introduced
12/03/2024
12/03/2024
In Committee
03/11/2025
03/11/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/02/2025
06/02/2025
Introduced Session
89th Legislature Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT relating to the use, possession, delivery, or manufacture of testing equipment that identifies the presence of fentanyl, alpha-methylfentanyl, or any other derivative or controlled substance analogue of fentanyl.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Texas Health and Safety Code to create an exception to drug paraphernalia laws for testing equipment used to identify fentanyl and its derivatives. Specifically, the bill allows individuals to use, possess, deliver, or manufacture testing equipment designed to detect the presence of fentanyl, alpha-methylfentanyl, or other controlled substance analogues of fentanyl without being subject to criminal penalties that would normally apply under drug paraphernalia statutes. The bill's provisions will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to offenses committed on or after that date. The intent appears to be to support harm reduction efforts by enabling people to more safely test for the presence of potentially dangerous synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which has been responsible for a significant increase in overdose deaths in recent years.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Public Health (on 03/11/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1496 |
| BillText | https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HB01496I.htm |
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