HB 106 FENTANYL EXPOSURE AS CHILD ABUSE

Rep Andrea R Reeb

Actions: HPREF [2] HJC/HAFC-HJC [3] DP-HAFC

Scheduled: Not Scheduled

 House Bill 106 (HB 106) provides that exposure to the use of fentanyl is evidence of child abuse and appropriates funds to the Department of Public Safety to expand its investigation of child abuse cases to include cases involving fentanyl.    

 House Bill 106 (HB 106) amends the crime of child abuse.  It adds that knowingly and intentionally exposing a child to the use of fentanyl is prima facie evidence of child abuse. Thus, exposing a child to fentanyl is sufficient to establish child abuse unless disproved.  

The bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety to expand it investigation of child abuse and neglect cases to include cases involving fentanyl.  Unused funds at the end of Fiscal Year 2025 revert to the General Fund.

HB 106 is effective July 1, 2024. 
 

 Currently, only exposure to the use of methamphetamine is prima facie evidence of child abuse.