Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday followed through on a legislative priority of his addressing the fentanyl crisis by signing four bills into law. He did so surrounded by Texans who tearfully held pictures of family members and loved ones who died from fentanyl poisoning.
The new laws amend existing law to classify fentanyl poisoning as murder, to require death certificates to state cause of death related to fentanyl poisonings, to expand distribution of NARCAN to Texas colleges and universities, and to expand educational initiatives to young people about the dangers of fentanyl.
“The fentanyl epidemic has taken far too many innocent lives, but thanks to the work by brave parents and loved ones, like those here today, we have made Texans aware of this crisis,” Gov. Abbott said at the bill signing. The new laws would “forever change Texas through new protections that will help save lives,” he said.