AT THE CAPITOL
2023 HEALTH CARE EDITION
Bill would implicate drug dealers in fentanyl overdose deaths
BY HANNAH NORTON
For and against If a lethal amount of fentanyl is found in someone’s system, House Bill 6 would have their death listed as a homicide. For “On behalf of all our family members who have died innocently by taking medication laced with fentanyl, on behalf of all of our friends, we’re here today to tell the people who deal that drug: We’re going to pass a piece of legislation. We’re coming after you.” Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, the author of the bill. Against “I know that everyone’s decided how they’re going to vote on this bill, and that’s ne. But what I’m here to do today is speak against the continuation of the drug war and the continuing incarceration of people for drug addiction, instead of providing them the care and help they need to not be addicts.” Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, who voted against the bill in April.
On June 17, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill to increase the criminal penalties for people who manufac- ture and distribute fentanyl. E ective Sept. 1, House Bill 6 will classify fentanyl overdoses as poison- ings on death certi cates. If a medical examiner nds a lethal amount of fentanyl in someone’s system and determines the drug caused their death, they will be required to list “homicide” as the manner of death. Prosecutors could then charge drug dealers with murder for providing the deadly opioid. The bill is a priority of state lead- ers. Abbott designated combatting the fentanyl crisis as one of seven emergency priorities for the legisla- tive session. The Texas Legislature approved HB 6 and sent it to the governor’s desk on May 24.
Protestors from the American Principles Project pray in support of Senate Bill 14 on May 2 at the Texas Capitol in Austin.
HANNAH NORTON COMMUNITY IMPACT
Abbott signs transition-related treatment bill
BY HANNAH NORTON
Doctors who continue to provide these treatments could be stripped of their medical licenses. Children who are currently receiving nonsurgical treatments and attended at least six months of therapy before beginning care will be allowed to continue. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and other organi- zations said they will challenge the bill in court but had not led a lawsuit as of print time.
A bill that would ban tran- sition-related treatments for transgender youth has been signed by Gov. Greg Abbott and will go into e ect Sept. 1. Senate Bill 14, which Abbott signed June 2, will prohibit doctors from providing gender-a rming care—including puberty-blocking medication, hormone therapy and gender con rmation surgery—to anyone under the age of 18.
Knock it out of the park and get a $50 bonus.
Student Checking
that fits you to a
Score a home run! Open a Student Checking account, and we’ll give you $50. There’s no monthly maintenance fee, plus, you can access your money anytime, anywhere with mobile banking. Learn more at trustmark.com/studentchecking.
Minimum $50 deposit required to open. To receive the $50 credit, the Student Checking account must be opened between April 3 - June 30, 2023, remain open for 30 days and have a balance greater than $0.00 at the time of the credit. The $50 credit will be deposited into the account on the next business day after 30 days from the date of account opening. Limit of one $50 credit per account.
21
BAY AREA EDITION • JUNE 2023
Powered by FlippingBook