summary
Introduced
01/15/2025
01/15/2025
In Committee
02/12/2025
02/12/2025
Crossed Over
02/21/2025
02/21/2025
Passed
03/07/2025
03/07/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/02/2025
05/02/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Involuntary manslaughter; certain drug offenses. Provides that any person who knowingly, intentionally, and feloniously manufactures, sells, or distributes a controlled substance knowing that such controlled substance contains a detectable amount of fentanyl, including its derivatives, isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, and unintentionally causes the death of another person is guilty of involuntary manslaughter if (i) such death results from the use of the controlled substance and (ii) such controlled substance is the proximate cause of the death. The bill provides that venue for a prosecution of this crime shall lie in the locality where the manufacturing, sale, or distribution of such controlled substance occurred, where the use of the controlled substance occurred, or where death occurred.The bill also provides that if a person gave or distributed such controlled substance only as an accommodation to another individual who is not an inmate in a community correctional facility, local correctional facility, or state correctional facility, or in the custody of an employee thereof, and not with intent to profit thereby from any consideration received or expected nor to induce the recipient of the controlled substance to use or become addicted to or dependent upon such controlled substance, he is not guilty of involuntary manslaughter but is guilty of a Class 6 felony. This bill is identical to SB 746.
AI Summary
This bill creates a new legal provision that makes a person guilty of involuntary manslaughter if they knowingly manufacture, sell, or distribute a controlled substance containing fentanyl (a powerful synthetic opioid) that unintentionally causes another person's death. The bill specifies that the death must result directly from using the controlled substance, and the venue for prosecution can be in the location where the drug was manufactured, sold, distributed, used, or where the death occurred. Importantly, the bill includes a provision that if a person gives or distributes the fentanyl-containing substance as a non-profiting accommodation to someone who is not an inmate or in custody, they would not be charged with involuntary manslaughter but instead with a Class 6 felony. The bill also amends existing law to ensure that a person cannot be prosecuted for multiple related drug offenses stemming from the same incident, such as preventing simultaneous prosecution for involuntary manslaughter and other drug-related charges. Additionally, the bill is part of an effort to address the ongoing opioid crisis by creating stricter legal consequences for drug distribution that leads to fatal overdoses.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0719) (on 05/02/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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