Senate Bill 2248 Summary

• Creates a new Class A felony offense for distributing a controlled substance that results in death or serious injury from overdose, requiring the defendant to have willfully supplied the substance to another person who then consumed it.

• Prohibits conviction in multiple counties for the same overdose death and allows prosecution of individuals outside the state; requires charging documents to specify an overt act committed by the defendant.

• Exempts individuals who supplied controlled substances as part of a lawful medical procedure, prescription dispensing, or compliance with safe harbor provisions; prior use of other substances by the victim is not a defense.

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit annual fentanyl death reports to legislative management and the governor by November 1st, including county location, age, and gender of deceased individuals.

• Mandates the Department of Health and Human Services to make fentanyl data publicly accessible through website postings, printed materials, high-traffic billboards, and media campaigns to expand statewide awareness of fentanyl overdose epidemic through June 30, 2025.