Governor Glenn Youngkin has signed Senate Bill 746, establishing a new crime of involuntary manslaughter for those who knowingly manufacture, sell, or distribute drugs containing fentanyl that result in death. The bill was patroned by Senator Ryan McDougle.
“Today, we take a crucial step in addressing the fentanyl crisis in Virginia. Fentanyl dealers should be held accountable for the lives they take and the families and communities they destroy,” said Governor Youngkin. “Through our comprehensive approach, Virginia is leading the nation in reducing drug overdoses and fentanyl deaths, which have dropped by 44 percent year-over-year. I am proud to sign this commonsense bill into law which brings dealers to justice and protects Virginia’s families.”
First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin added, “This legislation builds on a multi-faceted approach to reducing opioid use and fentanyl poisoning. Through the It Only Takes One fentanyl awareness initiative and the advocacy of Fentanyl Family Ambassadors, we are sparking conversations and saving lives.”
Attorney General Jason Miyares commented on the impact of fentanyl: “Fentanyl has devastated too many Virginia families. If you knowingly distribute fentanyl and it costs someone their life, you will be held accountable. I’m grateful to Governor Youngkin and the General Assembly for giving law enforcement the tools to fight back against the scourge of fentanyl.”
Senator Ryan McDougle expressed his commitment to combating drug-related crimes: “Fighting to lock up drug dealers who kill Virginians with deadly fentanyl has been a top priority, and we’ve spent countless hours over multiple General Assembly sessions pushing to get it done. I’m proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Governor Youngkin and Attorney General Miyares as we take this decisive step forward. SB 746 is a major victory, but the fight isn’t over. I’ll keep leading the charge to deliver even tougher penalties and protect every corner of our Commonwealth.”
The Youngkin Administration’s strategy against rising overdose deaths includes interrupting drug trade operations like Operation FREE, enhancing penalties for related crimes such as banning pill presses through SB 469 (Obenshain), educating through initiatives like It Only Takes One (IOTO), and equipping citizens with life-saving tools like naloxone.
Since July 2022, significant efforts have been made including distributing 388,584 doses of naloxone by the Virginia Department of Health and training nearly 97,000 people on its use.
