Virginia Republicans have announced their key legislative goals for the upcoming year, with a primary focus on tackling the devastating impact of fentanyl-related deaths across the Commonwealth. Current legal limitations make it challenging to prosecute drug dealers for the deaths of users unless there's proof of close physical proximity between the dealer and the victim at the time of death. GOP legislators are aiming to change this.
State Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle stated that the proposed legislation would remove the proximity requirement, holding dealers accountable regardless of their physical location during the user's overdose. Along with Senate Republican Caucus Leader Mark Obenshain, McDougle is leading this legislative effort. Obenshain emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that fentanyl-related deaths are occurring across all demographics and regions of Virginia, highlighting the widespread presence of this dangerous drug.
Recent special elections determined that Democrats will maintain their narrow one-seat majority in the Senate, meaning the Republicans' anti-fentanyl initiative will require bipartisan support to pass. This comes as Virginia grapples with a significant fentanyl problem. In 2022, the state ranked 14th nationally in total fentanyl-related deaths, with nearly 2,000 lives lost, according to CDC data. While neighboring West Virginia has a higher per capita fentanyl death rate, Virginia’s total number of fatalities exceeded West Virginia's.
With a staggering seven out of ten pills seized by the DEA containing lethal doses of fentanyl, the need for action is clear. Governor Glenn Youngkin's administration expressed support for the Republican initiative, emphasizing the importance of holding fentanyl dealers accountable and urging bipartisan cooperation to address this critical issue.
In a previous effort to combat the fentanyl crisis, Youngkin signed a bill in April 2024 that criminalized the possession and use of pill press machines and imposed penalties for allowing minors or mentally incapacitated individuals to be present during fentanyl production. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has highlighted the severity of the crisis, stating that an average of five Virginians die each day from fentanyl overdoses. This new legislation builds upon previous efforts, aiming to strengthen the legal framework and provide law enforcement with more effective tools to combat the fentanyl epidemic.
In addition to addressing the fentanyl crisis, Virginia Republicans are also prioritizing legislation to reduce the taxation of gratuities and to implement a ban on transgender women participating in women’s and girls’ sports.
