BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3144
88R13366 SCP-D	By: Lujan et al. (Campbell)
	Health & Human Services
	5/12/2023
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid that is being used as an additive in many substances such as heroin, cocaine, and more. Fentanyl can be sold in several forms: in the form of a powder, in eye droppers, in nasal sprays, and in the form of a pill. In Texas, there has been an alarming rise in fentanyl overdose deaths.

 

Currently, there are several drug awareness campaigns throughout Texas, including Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week is a nationally recognized drug awareness campaign that takes place annually on the last week of October, a main factor in why the month of October was chosen for this piece of legislation.

 

The Kaprosy Family, constituents of House District 118, experienced the devastation that fentanyl can have on a person. At 17 years old, Danica Kaprosy, daughter of Daniel and Veronica Kaprosy, passed away after unknowingly taking a pill laced with fentanyl, making her the first in Bexar County to pass away from fentanyl poisoning. Now, her parents have dedicated their life to raising awareness of the dangers of this drug so that other parents and families do not have to suffer this loss. One pill kills.

 

H.B. 3144 will spread awareness on fentanyl specifically. By designating October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month, Texas can work to keep its citizens informed and away from this deadly drug.

 

H.B. 3144 amends the Government Code by adding Section 662.116, which designates the month of October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month. This bill will work to highlight and bring awareness to the dangers and drastic effects of fentanyl to public school students across the state of Texas.

 

Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month can and should be observed regularly in schools and communities, similarly to Red Ribbon Week. The ongoing fentanyl epidemic needs to be stopped. This bill is a small step in the right direction to raise awareness and hopefully, put an end to the use of this dangerous substance.

 

H.B. 3144 amends current law relating to designating October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 662, Government Code, by adding Section 662.116, as follows:

 

Sec. 662.116. FENTANYL POISONING AWARENESS MONTH. (a) Provides that October is Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month to increase awareness of the dangers of fentanyl and potential overdoses.

 

(b) Authorizes Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month to be regularly observed through appropriate activities in communities to increase awareness of the dangers of fentanyl and potential overdoses.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.