Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SB1431 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 01/24/2023

                            THE SENATE   S.B. NO.   1431     THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023         STATE OF HAWAII                                A BILL FOR AN ACT     relating to fentanyl.     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:   

THE SENATE S.B. NO. 1431
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1431

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to fentanyl.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

      SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that fentanyl poses a grave threat to the health and safety of the residents of Hawaii.  Fentanyl is a type of synthetic opioid that has been a major cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States.  In 2021, more than one hundred thousand people died from opioid overdoses in the United States, and of these deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates over seventy-one thousand were from fentanyl.  The increase in overdose deaths from 2020 to 2021 represents a nearly fifteen per cent increase.      The legislature also finds that historically, Hawaii has suffered from multiple drug epidemics.  A report from 2002 discussed the various illegal drug threats to the State, including methamphetamine, marijuana, heroine, cocaine, and other dangerous drugs.  In order to address the presence of drugs and illicit substances in the community, it is imperative that the legislature take action against opioids.      The purpose of this Act is to establish the class A felony offense of possession, production, or distribution of fentanyl.      SECTION 2.  Section 712, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:      "§712-     Fentanyl possession, production, or distribution.  (1)  A person commits the offense of fentanyl possession if the person knowingly possesses, produces, or distributes fentanyl in any amount.      (2)  Fentanyl possession is a class A felony."      SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.      SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.      INTRODUCED BY:   _____________________________              

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that fentanyl poses a grave threat to the health and safety of the residents of Hawaii.  Fentanyl is a type of synthetic opioid that has been a major cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States.  In 2021, more than one hundred thousand people died from opioid overdoses in the United States, and of these deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates over seventy-one thousand were from fentanyl.  The increase in overdose deaths from 2020 to 2021 represents a nearly fifteen per cent increase.

     The legislature also finds that historically, Hawaii has suffered from multiple drug epidemics.  A report from 2002 discussed the various illegal drug threats to the State, including methamphetamine, marijuana, heroine, cocaine, and other dangerous drugs.  In order to address the presence of drugs and illicit substances in the community, it is imperative that the legislature take action against opioids.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish the class A felony offense of possession, production, or distribution of fentanyl.

     SECTION 2.  Section 712, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§712-     Fentanyl possession, production, or distribution.  (1)  A person commits the offense of fentanyl possession if the person knowingly possesses, produces, or distributes fentanyl in any amount.

     (2)  Fentanyl possession is a class A felony."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

       Report Title: Fentanyl Possession; Class A Felony   Description: Establishes the offense of Fentanyl possession, production, or distribution as a Class A felony.       The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent. 

 

 

Report Title:

Fentanyl Possession; Class A Felony

 

Description:

Establishes the offense of Fentanyl possession, production, or distribution as a Class A felony.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.