Kentucky lawmakers discussed a bill late last week in Frankfort that could lead to murder charges for those accused of selling drugs that lead to an overdose.
House Bill 388 was brought up during the last legislative session, but never made it out of committee. The bill would have allowed prosecutors to pursue murder charges in such cases.
There was some opposition to the discussion last week, with a representative from the Department of Public Advocacy noting that even someone who unknowingly passes something like fentanyl-laced marijuana could be charged with murder despite not knowing the drugs they are passing could be fatal.
A similar bill is expected to be filed again during the 2024 legislative session.
