Council supports exploring adding fentanyl to child-endangerment statute

Councilor Little introduced a policy update asking the council to authorize county lobbyists to pursue legislative language to add fentanyl and other opioids to the state-controlled-substance list referenced in the child-endangerment statute.

"This is just a simple request to add opioids to the child endangerment's statute," Councilor Little said, explaining that fentanyl and similar drugs are not currently included on the statute's list. Amber Smith, chief civil deputy prosecuting attorney, told councilors, "Currently, as the statute sits, is presently drafted, it does not include fentanyl and the list of controlled substances that are part of the crime for the endangerment with a controlled substance." Smith said lobbying would add language so fentanyl could be considered in appropriate child-endangerment cases.

Councilors voiced preliminary support and asked for opportunities to review any specific legislation before formal positions are taken. No final legislative language was approved at the meeting; staff said the action is preliminary and that the council would review specific proposals as they arise.