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Senate Judiciary Committee advances 'death by delivery' and fentanyl-exposure bills after emotional public testimony
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced two companion fentanyl bills that create a 'death by delivery' homicide offense and criminalize knowing exposure that endangers first responders; sponsors stressed public-safety concerns while a public commenter warned the law could punish friends and discourage life-saving calls.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday advanced two companion bills aimed at tightening criminal penalties tied to fentanyl-related deaths and exposures. Senator Gilmore, sponsor of House Bill 14 56, told the committee the measure adds a "death by delivery" subsection to homicide law and creates aggravated and first-degree death-by-delivery offenses, along with trafficking and marketing-to-minors enhancements and a provision decriminalizing fentanyl test strips.
"This bill creates death by delivery," Senator Gilmore said while outlining the penalties included on the bill's pages, noting the governor has publicly endorsed the legislation. Tony Ryle, director of the Sentencing Commission, told the panel the projected sentencing impact is uncertain because fentanyl…
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