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MD HB1398

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/7/2025

Primary Sponsor

Chris Tomlinson

Click for details

Origin

House of Delegates

2025 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Creates a new felony offense for unlawfully distributing heroin, fentanyl, or their chemical analogues when the use results in death or serious bodily injury to another person
  • Establishes a penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment, in addition to existing drug distribution penalties, with sentences running consecutively rather than concurrently
  • Holds all individuals in a drug distribution chain liable, even if the drugs pass through multiple hands before reaching the person who dies or is injured
  • Excludes non-commercial sharing of drugs (without payment or exchange of goods/services) from the definition of "distribute"
  • Provides immunity from prosecution under this section for individuals who seek, provide, or assist with medical assistance during an overdose emergency (Good Samaritan protection)

Legislative Description

Criminal Law - Distribution of Heroin or Fentanyl Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Death (Victoria, Scottie, Ashleigh, and Yader's Law)

Death

Last Action

Hearing 2/18 at 11:00 a.m.

2/17/2025

Committee Referrals

Judiciary2/7/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available