AT THE CAPITOL
2023 HEALTH CARE EDITION
Lawmakers’ bill could implicate drug dealers in overdose deaths
BY HANNAH NORTON
For and against House Bill 6 could list overdoses as homicides if a lethal amount is discovered during an autopsy and toxicology report. 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, a sponsor 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
Bills increasing criminal penalties for people who manufacture or distribute fentanyl is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. If he signs it, people could be charged with murder if the drug leads to someone’s death. House Bill 6, by Rep. Craig Gold- man, R Fort Worth, would classify fentanyl overdoses as poisonings on death certi cates. After a toxicology report and autopsy, if a medical examiner nds a lethal amount of fentanyl in someone’s system and determines drugs caused their death, they would be required to list “homi- cide” as the manner of death. Prosecutors could then charge drug dealers with murder for providing the deadly opioid. Texas Harm Reduction Alliance protesters chanted, “No more drug war!” in opposition to the bill.
Members of the American Principles Project create a prayer circle on May 2 in Austin when a gender-a rming ban was discussed. (Hannah Norton/Community Impact)
Bill banning transition-related treatment for minors sent to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk
BY HANNAH NORTON
Doctors who continue to provide these treatments could be stripped of their medical licenses. If passed, children receiving nonsurgical treatments and have attended at least six months of therapy before beginning care would be allowed to continue. Children must be safely weaned o the medications and cannot begin new treatment plans.
A bill that would ban tran- sition-related treatments for
transgender youth has been sent to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. Senate Bill 14 would prohibit doctors from providing gender-af- rming care—including puber- ty-blocking medication, hormone therapy and gender con rmation surgery—to anyone under age 18.
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FLOWER MOUND HIGHLAND VILLAGE ARGYLE EDITION • JUNE 2023
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