HOUSE BILL REPORT

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.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Public Safety

Title: An act relating to fentanyl.

Brief Description: Concerning fentanyl.

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

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Public Safety: 2/24/20, 2/27/20 [DP].

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.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Goodman, Chair; Davis, Vice Chair; Appleton, 2nd Vice Chair; Klippert, Ranking Minority Member; Sutherland, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Graham, Griffey, Lovick, Orwall, Pellicciotti and Pettigrew.

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.

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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.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) There is an opioid epidemic, and one of the most dangerous opioids is fentanyl, which is the most deadly street drug in the country's history.  Fentanyl is much stronger than heroin or morphine and cheaper to manufacture.  There has been an increase in deaths and seized fentanyl products.  In one case from another state, a toddler died from ingesting synthetic fentanyl that the toddler's parents had been producing and packing in the home.  In King County, three teenagers died from counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl that they thought were prescription drugs.  The laws have not kept up with this dangerous drug.  This bill brings the laws in alignment with the laws for methamphetamine.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Senator Zeiger, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.