House Passes, Rep. Zullo Co-Sponsors Bill to Increase Penalties For Fentanyl

HARTFORD – State Representative Joe Zullo praised the passage of legislation on Tuesday that will create tougher penalties for the illegal manufacturing, distribution, or sale of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl.

“Every community in the State has felt the impact of the opioid epidemic,” said Rep. Zullo. “Both our State and nation need a sustained, strategic, and comprehensive plan to curtail the widespread abuse of fentanyl and other opioids. One bill will certainly not end this epidemic. However, this bill marks a critical step in the fight to end this horrible, devastating epidemic.”

The bill, identified as “H.B. 5524,” was introduced by House Republican Leader Themis Klarides and passed by unanimous vote of the legislature on Tuesday. Under the legislation as approved by the House, the bill would recognize fentanyl as a “narcotic substance.” Under current law, fentanyl is listed as a synthetic drug, which carries lesser criminal penalties in certain circumstances. The bill now awaits action in the Senate.

Data from the Chief State Medical Examiner’s Office shows an increase in deaths related to fentanyl from 2015-2018. In 2015, 189 of 729 deaths related to opioids contained a form of fentanyl. In 2018, 760 of the 1,017 deaths related to opioids contained a form of fentanyl.

Zullo concluded, “I commend Rep. Klarides and the Republican delegation that introduced this legislation and I am very proud to be co-sponsoring it. We still have significant work ahead us in this fight. However, I urge my colleagues in the Senate to take this bill up quickly so that it can be transmitted to the Governor for consideration and approval.