MADISON – Two bills to combat the growing fentanyl epidemic authored by Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) became law today. These bills increase the penalties for manufacturing, distributing, or delivering fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, and help first responders test substances for fentanyl.
“These two laws will save lives, period,” said Wanggaard. “During the 2010’s, the legislature passed countless bills to address the heroin, and opioid epidemic. And those laws worked. Now, due to skyrocketing crime and lax border control, fentanyl is sweeping across the state. We need tools to address this growing plague in our neighborhoods.”
“With easy access to fentanyl, drug dealers are lacing all types of illegal prescription and non-prescription drugs, such as Xanax and Adderall,” Wanggaard continued. “Decriminalizing testing strips will allow law enforcement officers, firefighters, medical providers, and others to test substances like these. By increasing penalties, we can reduce the number of dealers on the street and the availability of fentanyl. These common-sense laws provide tools to help keep our communities and families safe.”
The two bills that were signed into law today were:
∙ Senate Bill 352 –Will increase penalties for the illegal manufacturing, delivery, and distribution of Fentanyl. Co-authored by Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse)
∙ Senate Bill 600 – Will decriminalize fentanyl testing strips, which allows people to test for the presence of Fentanyl in legal and illegal drugs. Co-authored by Rep. Jesse James (R-Altoona).
