On Friday, August 4th, State Representative Scott Allen (R – Waukesha) was present in support of Governor Evers’ decision to sign SB 101 into law, a law that increases the penalty for causing the death of another person via the distribution, manufacture, or delivery of an illicit drug.
“Those who knowingly, intentionally, and recklessly distribute deadly drugs, including fentanyl, need to be held accountable,” stated Rep. Allen. “This is just one step, but it is an important step to addressing the fentanyl overdose epidemic.”
Currently, fentanyl poisoning that results in death is only a class C felony. The problem with a class C felony is that a judge may sentence the dealer to imprisonment, or they can simply fine them instead. By raising this to a class B felony, judges must sentence those who commit this deed to imprisonment consistent with every other reckless homicide crime.
“From the very beginning, I’ve articulated that fentanyl poisoning is murder,” said Rep. Allen. “I’m glad our governor concurs and has decided to treat it as such.”
