Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Public Safety Committee

SSB 6022

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Concerning fentanyl.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Zeiger and Padden).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Provides that a person is guilty of the crime of Endangerment with a Controlled Substance if the person knowingly or intentionally permits a dependent child or dependent adult to be exposed to, ingest, inhale, or have contact with fentanyl.

  • Creates an exception to the crime of Endangerment with a Controlled Substance for circumstances in which the substance is administered pursuant to a prescription.

Hearing Date: 2/24/20

Staff: Omeara Harrington (786-7136).

Background:

A person is guilty of the crime of Endangerment with a Controlled Substance if the person knowingly or intentionally permits a dependent child or dependent adult to be exposed to, ingest, inhale, or have contact with methamphetamine or ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or anhydrous ammonia, including their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, that are being used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. A dependent person is a person who, because of physical or mental disability, or because of extreme advanced age, is dependent upon another person to provide the basic necessities of life.

Endangerment with a Controlled Substance is a class B felony, ranked at seriousness level IV. It carries a standard range sentence of three to nine months of incarceration for a first offense.

Summary of Bill:

Endangerment with a Controlled Substance is expanded to include knowingly or intentionally permitting a dependent child or dependent adult to be exposed to, ingest, inhale, or have contact with fentanyl, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers that are being used in the manufacture of fentanyl.

Endangerment with a Controlled Substance does not include exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or contact with a controlled substance as administered pursuant to a prescription for the child or dependent adult.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 21, 2020.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.