Governor Ivey signs Mandatory Minimum bill for Fentanyl

Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law a bill creating mandatory minimums for fentanyl dealers. It was approved unanimously by both houses of the Alabama Legislature. Lawmakers said the show of bipartisanship and total support is a testament to how dangerous this drug is. They hope this law sends a clear message.

HB1 sets mandatory minimums based on the amount of the drug being trafficked. For one to two grams, the dealer would serve at least three years in prison. For eight or more grams, it’s life in prison. The law takes effect in July.

Before this law, pure fentanyl was the only drug in Alabama without mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines.

Fentanyl doesn’t discriminate, killing people all across the state. According to the CDC, more than 150 people die nationally from fentanyl-related overdoses daily.

Ivey signed the bill into law not long after it passed in the Senate. “The entire nation should take note of what we accomplished today in Alabama with the passage of House Bill 1,” she said on Twitter.

This might not be the end of fentanyl legislation this session. A bill was filed earlier this week that would make it a crime to “chemically endanger a first responder” who might come in contact with fentanyl.

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print