House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) has passed legislation out of the Illinois House to increase the accessibility of fentanyl test strips.
Senate Bill 3350 does the following: Provides that DHS may establish or authorize a program for dispensing and distributing fentanyl test strips. Provides that the Department may acquire fentanyl test strips, train individuals in the use of fentanyl test strips, and distribute fentanyl test strips. Provides that the Department may award grants for the purchasing and distributing of fentanyl test strips. Subject to appropriation, any hospital and any other organization deemed eligible by DHS shall be enrolled to receive fentanyl test strips from the Department and distribute test strips upon enrollment in the Drug Overdose Prevention Program
Leader McCombie passed legislation last year (HB3203) which provides that a pharmacist may sell fentanyl test strips over-the-counter to the public to test for the presence of fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, or a drug adulterant within a controlled substance. Provides that a county health department may distribute fentanyl test strips at the county health department facility for no fee.
SB3350 now heads to the governor for his consideration.
Leader McCombie will be a part of an upcoming House Republican podcast on Fentanyl. The podcast “Capitol Crimes: The Crimes Behind the Legislation” will be available next week on the House Republican Caucus Blog https://www.thecaucusblog.com/?m=1