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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	December 4, 2018 11:24 AM
From:	Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr.
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Limited and Restricted Use of Fentanyl

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation which will take a harder and more modern stance on acceptable uses of fentanyl in the Commonwealth. As the opioid epidemic reaches catastrophic levels in Pennsylvania, we must continue to do all that’s in our power as legislators to make laws and policies that work to end the problem. Drug dealers have been adding fentanyl to heroin to increase its potency, which has been leading to additional overdose deaths. In the past, fentanyl was only used in operating rooms because of its potency. By again limiting the use of fentanyl to operating rooms until the epidemic subsides, we will be providing needed relief to coroners, EMS providers, and law enforcement. To that end, I have included a two-year sunset date within this legislation. Further, my legislation will put restrictions on how fentanyl can be introduced into evidence during courtroom proceedings. The deadly nature of fentanyl has placed a risk to individuals in courtrooms during prosecution of drug trafficking cases. This change will balance the rules of evidence and the protections those in our courtrooms deserve. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation to further combat our heroin and opioid epidemic.

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