The Pennsylvania Senate has approved a bill aimed at fentanyl dealers, introduced by Senator Doug Mastriano of the 33rd District. The legislation seeks to impose stricter penalties for those involved in selling fentanyl leading to fatal overdoses.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is significantly more potent than morphine, posing a severe risk even in small amounts. “One such example occurred in my district. Tyler Shanafelter, just 18 years old, overdosed and tragically lost his life when he purchased what he thought was Percocet. Instead, those pills were laced with fentanyl,” Mastriano stated.
Senate Bill 92, named Tyler’s Law, proposes a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years for those convicted of selling fentanyl resulting in a death. This penalty would not apply to drug users sharing with acquaintances or to individuals seeking medical help for overdoses.
The appeal of fentanyl compared to heroin lies in its ease of production and distribution. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted over 100,000 deaths related to fentanyl and opioids in 2021, up 15% from the previous year. In Pennsylvania, the overdose death rate rose markedly from 6.2 per 100,000 in 2011 to 32.8 per 100,000 in 2021, reaching 44 per 100,000 by 2023.
Mastriano expressed the urgency of the bill, saying, “It is my duty as a legislator to do everything I can to stem this ever-increasing scourge on our loved ones. My bill would send a strong message that those fueling the opioid crisis will face severe consequences.” He is optimistic about the bill’s passage into law, to honor Tyler Shanafelter and others affected by similar tragedies.
Having gained Senate approval as Senate Bill 235 in a prior session, the legislation now proceeds to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
