This week, legislation backed by State Representative Wayne Rosenthal (R-Morrisonville) passed out of the House Public Health Committee to combat the deadly fentanyl epidemic that has plagued communities across the state and nation in recent years. Rosenthal is the chief co-sponsor of the legislation being carried by House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) that has gained a growing list of bipartisan sponsors.
The legislation, House Bill 3203, provides that a pharmacist or retailer may sell fentanyl test strips over-the-counter to the public to test for the presence of fentanyl, a fentanyl analog, or a drug adulterant within a controlled substance. It passed unanimously when presented and will now move forward for further consideration.
“The opioid epidemic has harmed families in every community, and it’s been made even more dangerous by the lacing of other drugs with fentanyl,” said Rosenthal. “I’m honored to be the chief co-sponsor of legislation to help us battle this deadly epidemic.”
The bill is part of a larger public safety initiative to address the top issues, like fentanyl, affecting the health, well-being, and safety of communities across the state.