Two of three bills designed to slow down fentanyl use and distributions have passed the Kansas Senate.
The chamber passed Senate Bill 414, written to increase criminal penalties for unlawfully distributing fentanyl-related drugs, by a 39-0 vote last week. SB 414 would make unlawful fentanyl distribution a Level 1 to Level 4 crime, depending on the amounts or dosage units distributed. Anything more than 100 grams or 250 dosage units would automatically be a Level 1 drug offense.
Also, the Senate unanimously passed SB 419, designed to increase aggravated child endangerment penalties when there is bodily harm to a child and when a child is in different locations associated with fentanyl.
17th District Senator Jeff Longbine voted for both measures.
Senate Bill 413, written to detail criminal penalties for fentanyl distribution, especially when distributed by dosage unit or weight, was introduced in the Senate last week and is awaiting final action.
