FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Governor Injudiciously Vetoes Bipartisan Bill Aimed at Protecting Children from Fentanyl
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senator Anthony Kern is expressing his concern and dismay after Governor Hobbs vetoed a heavily bipartisan bill that would have helped protect children from being harmed by fentanyl.
SB 1027 would have established knowingly manufacturing fentanyl under circumstances that cause physical injury to a minor under the age of 15 as a class 2 felony offense punishable as a dangerous crime against children (DCAC). It also would have increased penalties for crimes related to the sale of fentanyl and heroin.
"We have been fighting the opioid epidemic not just in Arizona, but nationwide for decades," said Senator Kern. "The least we can do is try to protect our children and future generations from exposure to a deadly drug often laced into opioids. This bill had the support of many Democrats, yet Governor Hobbs continues to show her priorities are out of line. In her veto letter, she claims she didn't sign the bill out of fear it would undermine the Good Samaritan Law which protects individuals who intervene to save someone experiencing an opioid overdose. Not only is it a misleading stretch to reach this conclusion, Hobbs is more concerned with protecting fentanyl manufacturers and providers than implementing real measures that protect our children and communities from these dangerous drugs. We as legislators have done our job. We created a bill with bipartisan support to tackle a very real and serious issue. Why is Hobbs not doing hers, and instead continuing to play political games?"
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
kquintero@azleg.gov