Signed by Governor John Bel Edwards

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report and pass a bill that increases penalties for drug distribution resulting in death to life in prison.

Highlights:

• Increases penalties for drug distribution of Fentanyl or Cerfentanil and any mixture with these substances to the following punishments, including (Sec. 1):

• If on conviction the weight of the drug is less than 28 grams, then imprisonment must last 5 years but not more than 40 years with at least 5 years without parole, probation, or suspension of sentence and they may be required to pay a fine of no more than 50,000 dollars;

• If on first conviction the aggregate weight is more than 28 grams but less than 250 grams, then imprisonment is 7 years to 40 years where 7 years are served without parole, probation, or sentence suspension and they may be required to pay a fine of 50,000 dollars or less;

• If on a second conviction the aggregate weight is more than 28 but less than 250 grams, imprisonment is 30 to 40 years, 10 years without parole, probation, or sentence suspension, and may be required to pay a fine of 500,000 or less;

• On a third conviction of an aggregate weight of 28 grams but less than 250 grams, life imprisonment in which 25 years are served without parole, probation, or sentence suspension and may fine 500,000 or less; and

• On conviction of an aggregate weight of 250 grams or more, life imprisonment with at least 25 years without parole, probation, or sentence suspension.

• Specifies that if the offender unlawfully distributes or dispenses fentanyl or carfentanil or a mixture with the substances and this is the direct cause of serious bodily injury to an individual who ingests or consumed the substance, then the offender will be imprisoned for an additional period of 5 years without probation, parole, or sentence suspension which is served consecutively with the above sentences (Sec. 1).

• specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the governor (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report and pass a bill that increases penalties for drug distribution resulting in death to life in prison.

Highlights:

• Increases penalties for drug distribution of Fentanyl or Cerfentanil and any mixture with these substances to the following punishments, including (Sec. 1):

• If on conviction the weight of the drug is less than 28 grams, then imprisonment must last 5 years but not more than 40 years with at least 5 years without parole, probation, or suspension of sentence and they may be required to pay a fine of no more than 50,000 dollars;

• If on first conviction the aggregate weight is more than 28 grams but less than 250 grams, then imprisonment is 7 years to 40 years where 7 years are served without parole, probation, or sentence suspension and they may be required to pay a fine of 50,000 dollars or less;

• If on a second conviction the aggregate weight is more than 28 but less than 250 grams, imprisonment is 30 to 40 years, 10 years without parole, probation, or sentence suspension, and may be required to pay a fine of 500,000 or less;

• On a third conviction of an aggregate weight of 28 grams but less than 250 grams, life imprisonment in which 25 years are served without parole, probation, or sentence suspension and may fine 500,000 or less; and

• On conviction of an aggregate weight of 250 grams or more, life imprisonment with at least 25 years without parole, probation, or sentence suspension.

• Specifies that if the offender unlawfully distributes or dispenses fentanyl or carfentanil or a mixture with the substances and this is the direct cause of serious bodily injury to an individual who ingests or consumed the substance, then the offender will be imprisoned for an additional period of 5 years without probation, parole, or sentence suspension which is served consecutively with the above sentences (Sec. 1).

• specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the governor (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text