COLUMBUS, Ohio – State Representative Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County) announced the recent passage of House Bill 230, known as the Saving Ohio Communities Act, by the Ohio House of Representatives. The bill, sponsored by State Representatives Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) and D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron), aims to address the alarming rise in drug overdoses, particularly due to fentanyl poisoning, across Ohio and the nation.
“This bipartisan legislation is a crucial step in our efforts to safeguard the welfare of all Ohioans,” stated Pizzulli. “House Bill 230 is designed to staunch the flow of fentanyl into our communities, thereby preventing further tragedies.”
Key components of the bill include:
- Tougher penalties for drug trafficking offenses involving cocaine, fentanyl-related compounds, heroin, and methamphetamine.
- Broadening the definition of human trafficking to enhance legal measures against perpetrators.
- Imposing a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years for individuals convicted of or pleading guilty to a fentanyl-related death.
- Designating August as “Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month” to raise public awareness about the dangers of fentanyl.
- Mandating public schools to educate students on the risks associated with fentanyl.
- Granting law enforcement the authority to conduct oral fluid testing.
House Bill 230 will now proceed to the Ohio Senate for further deliberation. If approved, the legislation could represent a significant step forward in the state’s ongoing battle against drug and human trafficking, aiming to protect communities and save lives.
