The Ohio House of Representatives recently passed the Saving Ohio Communities Act which would work to combat the drug and human trafficking crises in the Buckeye State through a number of measures.
The 264-page bill, filed as House Bill 230, passed the House on Wednesday. The bill passed by a 80-13 vote.
If enacted in its current form, the bill would make the following key policy changes:
- Increase drug trafficking charges for cocaine, fentanyl-related compounds, heroin and methamphetamine;
- Expand the definition of human trafficking;
- Establish a 5-year mandatory minimum prison term if an individual is convicted of or pleads guilty to a fentanyl-related death;
- Designate August as “Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month”;
- Require public schools to instruct students on the dangers of fentanyl; and
- Allow law enforcement to conduct oral fluid testing.
The bill is sponsored by Ohio State Representatives Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) and D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) (pictured above).
“The crisis our state and our country are facing is catastrophic,” Abrams said in a statement. “House Bill 230 will save lives. It is what Ohio needs to combat the drug and human trafficking epidemics.”
Citing data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Abrams’ office reports that roughly 3,624 Ohioans and 57,380 Americans have died of fentanyl poisoning since the Saving Ohio Communities Act’s initial introduction on June 27, 2023.
“This bill will ensure that the appropriate individuals face consequences for their horrific actions,” Swearingen added in a statement. “It is our responsibility to support law enforcement, protect all Ohioans, and make Ohio the best place to live and thrive.”
Ohio State Representative Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County), who voted with the majority to advance the bill, also commented on the bill’s passage, saying, “We have a collective responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all Ohioans. House Bill 230 will stop the flow of fentanyl from coming in and poisoning our communities.”
The bill now heads to the Ohio Senate for consideration.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
