Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Panel advances bills to create criminal liability for executives who knowingly conceal drug or vaccine risks
Summary
Senate Judiciary advanced SB7 and SB8, companion bills from Senator Brian King that would create prosecution pathways for executives who knowingly hide or omit evidence about harmful effects of prescription drugs or vaccines and establish a temporary prosecution fund. Senators raised jurisdictional, mens rea and enforceability concerns but the committee adopted an amendment and passed both bills.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance two bills from Senator Brian King that would allow criminal prosecution of corporate executives who knowingly hide data or evidence about the harmful effects of prescription drugs or vaccines.
SB7 targets prescription-drug manufacturers by creating a new offense — described in the bill as 'prescription drug harm' or homicide — when specified conduct and a knowing concealment of evidence cause death or serious injury. SB8 uses parallel language to cover vaccines. Senator King offered and secured an amendment that adds a four-year sunset and creates a fund intended to help local prosecutors pursue…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
