Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Community Safety, Justice, & Reentry Committee
ESB 5022
Brief Description: Expanding access to drug testing equipment to promote community safety.
Sponsors: Senators Muzzall, Cleveland, Dhingra, Gildon, Hunt, Keiser, Kuderer, Mullet, Nobles, Van De Wege, Wilson, J. and Wilson, L..
Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill
  • Removes equipment used to test the purity of a controlled substance from the definition of unlawful drug paraphernalia.
Hearing Date: 3/21/23
Staff: Michelle Rusk (786-7153).
Background:

Drug Paraphernalia.

It is unlawful under certain circumstances to use, possess, manufacture, deliver, give, sell, or advertise the sale of drug paraphernalia.  Violators can be subject to civil or criminal liability.

 

Drug paraphernalia includes testing equipment used, intended for use, or designed for use in identifying or analyzing the strength, effectiveness, or purity of controlled substances.

 

It is not prohibited to legally distribute injection syringe equipment through public health and community-based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention programs and pharmacies.
Summary of Bill:

Drug Paraphernalia.

Testing equipment used, intended for use, or designed for use in identifying or analyzing the strength, effectiveness, or purity of controlled substances is removed from the definition of "drug paraphernalia."

 

The type of equipment public health and community-based HIV prevention programs and pharmacies may sell or give is expanded to include testing equipment.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.