Ohio House Passes Bill to Combat Fentanyl Crisis
The Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 230, legislation to directly combat drug and human trafficking in Ohio on Wednesday.
“Open border policies at the federal level have left Ohio vulnerable. We see the devastating aftermath of this crisis every day,” Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) said. “We must do everything we can to combat the drugs and cartels pouring across out southern border and keep our communities safe. House Bill 230 will do just that.”
House Bill 230 comes as a result of the staggering increase in drug overdoses, specifically fentanyl poisoning, in Ohio and throughout the United States. Since the bill’s initial introduction on June 27, 2023, roughly 3,624 Ohioans and 57,380 Americans have died of fentanyl poisoning, according to statistic provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Key provisions of the bill are outlined below:
- Increases drug trafficking charges for cocaine, fentanyl-related compounds, heroin and methamphetamine;
- Expands the definition of human trafficking;
- Establishes a 5-year mandatory minimum prison term if an individual is convicted of or pleads guilty to a fentanyl-related death;
- Designates August as “Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month”;
- Requires public schools to instruct students on the dangers of fentanyl; and
- Allows law enforcement to conduct oral fluid testing.
House Bill 230 now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.