Bill > H3591

This bill creates a new criminal offense called fentanyl-induced homicide in South Carolina, which makes it a felony for a person to knowingly deliver, dispense, or provide fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances that directly cause another person's death. Under the law, a person convicted of this offense can be imprisoned for up to 30 years. The bill specifically states that a victim's consent to or contribution to their own death does not serve as a defense, unless there is clear evidence the victim intended to commit suicide. The law does not apply to individuals who share drugs without knowing they contain fentanyl, and it provides some protections for those acting in compliance with existing drug-related regulations. Importantly, a person charged under this law can also face additional drug-related or assisted suicide charges. This legislation aims to address the ongoing opioid crisis by creating a strong legal deterrent for individuals who distribute potentially deadly fentanyl, which has been a significant contributor to overdose deaths in recent years.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3591&session=126&summary=B