A bill passed this session to allow prosecutors to charge fentanyl distributors with felony manslaughter in connection to overdose deaths is on hold after Gov. Kay Ivey signed the wrong version of the bill.
The clerk of the Alabama House of Representatives John Treadwell told F1819 News that the mistake was due to a technical glitch. He said the system reverted back to the original bill, which did not specify fentanyl-related deaths and the language of that version addressed all controlled substance deaths.
The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Chris Pringle (R-Mobile), was originally scheduled to take effect on September 1.
Now, lawmakers will have to visit the bill again during the next session. That session will likely be a special session for redistricting, so there is a possibility the law could still go into effect on September 1.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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