Delaware 152nd General Assembly (2023-2024) Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 6 D · 2 R cosponsors

SB 189 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT AND DRUG TESTING STRIPS.

Last action — Signed by Governor

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced June 16, 2023. Enacted.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 98% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 8 sponsors

    8 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (6 D · 2 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

This Act adds xylazine and it isomers, esters, ethers, salts and salts of isomers, esters and ethers to Schedule III of the Delaware Uniform Controlled Substances Act and expands the authorization for the distribution of testing strips to determine the presence of controlled substances. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the emergence of xylazine across the United States appears to be following the same path as fentanyl, starting in the Northeast and then spreading to the South and working its way into drug markets westward, and the low cost of xylazine contributes to xylazine’s increased presence in the nation’s illegal drug supply. Xylazine is approved only for veterinary use, xylazine is a non-opioid with increasing presence as an adulterant, often in conjunction with opioids, in the illicit drug supply. When used alone and in conjunction with other drugs, xylazine is implicated as a cause or contributing cause of death in the United States. When used in conjunction with an opioid, such as heroin or fentanyl, xylazine may worsen respiratory depression in the event of a drug overdose, and because xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone is not known to be effective at reversing overdoses, and there is no known antidote or reversal agent for xylazine overdose in humans. This Act also exempts testing strips from the drug paraphernalia statute and expands the limitations on liability for lay individuals and organizations that provide a drug testing strip to an individual who uses drugs to reduce the likelihood of the individual experiencing harm. This Act becomes effective upon the expiration of the Emergency Order issued by the Secretary of State placing Xylazine in Schedule III of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act or November 29, 2023, whichever is earlier.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

86 added · 8 removed

86 line(s) added, 8 removed.

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Poore DELAWARE STATE SENATE 152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE AMENDMENT NO.
Poore & Rep.
1 TO SENATE BILL NO.
Minor-Brown Sens.
189 AMEND Senate Bill No.
Mantzavinos, Pettyjohn, Richardson, Townsend;
189 by adding the following after line 58:
Reps.
“Section 5.
Heffernan, Hilovsky DELAWARE STATE SENATE 152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE BILL NO.
This Act expires on November 29, 2024.” SYNOPSIS This amendment provides that the Act sunsets on November 29, 2024.
189 AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT AND DRUG TESTING STRIPS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1.
Amend § 4718 of Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows and by redesignating accordingly:
§ 4718.
Schedule III.
(l) xylazine and its isomers, esters, ethers, salts and salts of isomers, esters and ethers.
(l) (m) The Secretary may except by rule any compound, mixture or preparation containing any stimulant or depressant substance listed in subsections (b) and (c) from the application of all or any part of this chapter if the compound, mixture or preparation contains 1 or more active medicinal ingredients not having a stimulant or depressant effect on the central nervous system and if the admixtures are included therein in combinations, quantity, proportion or concentration that vitiate the potential for abuse of the substances which have a stimulant or depressant effect on the central nervous system.
(m) (n) Any anabolic steroid, as listed in subsection (f) of this section, which is a combination of estrogen and anabolic steroid and which is expressly intended for administration to hormone-deficient women, shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
If any person prescribes, dispenses or distributes an anabolic steroid which is a combination of estrogen and anabolic steroid for use by persons who are not hormone-deficient women, such person shall be considered to have prescribed, dispensed or distributed an anabolic steroid within the meaning of this chapter.
(n) (o) Dronabinol (synthetic) in sesame oil and encapsulated in a soft gelatin capsule in a U.S.
Food and Drug Administration approved drug product.
Section 2.
Amend § 2226 of Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows and by redesignating accordingly:
§ 2226.
Distribution of fentanyl drug testing strips;
immunity.
(a) The purpose of this section is to expand the harm reduction strategies available in Delaware to address the epidemic level of drug overdose deaths through the distribution provision of fentanyl drug testing strips.
Fentanyl is a SD :
FJM :
ALW Page 1 of 3 Released:
06/16/2023 03:19 PM potent opioid that is increasingly being mixed into illicitly sold drugs, often without the buyer’s knowledge.
In 2018, fentanyl was involved in 72% of overdose deaths in Delaware.
The distribution provision of fentanyl drug testing strips provides an opportunity to prevent potential overdose deaths.
(b) For purposes of As used in this section, “person” means 1 of the following that provides aid to drug users without the expectation of monetary or other compensation from the individual aided:
(1) A lay individual.
“Drug” means any 1 or more of the following:
a.
Fentanyl.
b.
Xylazine.
(2) A nonprofit organization.
“Drug testing strip” means a test used to determine the presence of a drug or drug-related substance.
(3) “Person” means an individual or legal entity that provides a drug testing strip to an individual who uses drugs to reduce the likelihood of the individual experiencing harm.
(c) This section does not apply to any of the following:
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(1) A manufacturer or distributor of fentanyl testing strips.
(2) A pharmacy.
(3) A hospital.
(4) A medical clinic.
(5) A for-profit organization.
(6) A credentialed individual.
(c) (d) A Subject to subsection (e) of this section, a person may provide distribute functional fentanyl a drug testing strip to an individual strips to determine the presence of fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances.
(d) (e) A person who provides functional fentanyl providing a drug testing strips strip to an individual to determine the presence of fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances under this section must do so in good faith and with reasonable care.
(e) (f) A Except if the person willfully, wantonly, recklessly, or by gross negligence causes injuries or death, a person who provides functional fentanyl providing a drug testing strips strip to an individual to determine the presence of fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances under this section is not subject to civil damages in excess of exceeding the limits limit of any an applicable insurance policy coverage, unless it is established that the person caused injuries or death wilfully, wantonly, or recklessly or by gross negligence.
Section 3.
Amend § 4773 of Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:
SD :
FJM :
ALW Page 2 of 3 Released:
06/16/2023 03:19 PM § 4773.
Exemptions.
This subchapter does not apply to any of the following:
(3) Testing strips to determine the presence of fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances.
A drug testing strip as defined under § 2226 of this title.
Section 4.
This Act shall be effective upon the expiration of the Emergency Order issued by the Secretary of State placing Xylazine in Schedule III of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act or November 29, 2023, whichever is earlier.
SYNOPSIS This Act adds xylazine and it isomers, esters, ethers, salts and salts of isomers, esters and ethers to Schedule III of the Delaware Uniform Controlled Substances Act and expands the authorization for the distribution of testing strips to determine the presence of controlled substances.
According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the emergence of xylazine across the United States appears to be following the same path as fentanyl, starting in the Northeast and then spreading to the South and working its way into drug markets westward, and the low cost of xylazine contributes to xylazine’s increased presence in the nation’s illegal drug supply.
Xylazine is approved only for veterinary use, xylazine is a non-opioid with increasing presence as an adulterant, often in conjunction with opioids, in the illicit drug supply.
When used alone and in conjunction with other drugs, xylazine is implicated as a cause or contributing cause of death in the United States.
When used in conjunction with an opioid, such as heroin or fentanyl, xylazine may worsen respiratory depression in the event of a drug overdose, and because xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone is not known to be effective at reversing overdoses, and there is no known antidote or reversal agent for xylazine overdose in humans.
This Act also exempts testing strips from the drug paraphernalia statute and expands the limitations on liability for lay individuals and organizations that provide a drug testing strip to an individual who uses drugs to reduce the likelihood of the individual experiencing harm.
This Act becomes effective upon the expiration of the Emergency Order issued by the Secretary of State placing Xylazine in Schedule III of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act or November 29, 2023, whichever is earlier.
CBK Page 1 of 1 Released:
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06/16/2023 03:19 PM 2711520066
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Action History

  1. Signed by Governor

  2. Passed By House. Votes: 41 YES

  3. Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 3 On Its Merits

  4. Assigned to Administration Committee in House

  5. Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

  6. Amendment SA 1 to SB 189 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

  7. Amendment SA 1 to SB 189 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

  8. Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits

  9. Introduced and Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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8 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 54 not signed on

Sponsors (8)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (54)

54 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 54 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

SM

Passed 41 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 8000
Democratic 20000
Republican 13000
Total 41000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (41)
Member Party Vote
Michael Ramone — Yea
Paul S. Baumbach — Yea
Peter C. Schwartzkopf — Yea
Ruth Briggs King — Yea
Sean Matthews — Yea
Sherry Dorsey Walker — Yea
Stell Parker Selby — Yea
Valerie Longhurst — Yea
Cyndie Romer Democratic Yea
DeShanna U Neal Democratic Yea
Debra Heffernan Democratic Yea
Edward S. Osienski Democratic Yea
Eric Morrison Democratic Yea
Franklin D. Cooke Democratic Yea
Kendra Johnson Democratic Yea
Kerri Evelyn Harris Democratic Yea
Kimberly Williams Democratic Yea
Krista Griffith Democratic Yea
Larry Lambert Democratic Yea
Madinah Wilson-Anton Democratic Yea
Melissa Minor-Brown Democratic Yea
Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha Democratic Yea
Sean M. Lynn Democratic Yea
Sherae'a Moore Democratic Yea
Sophie Phillips Democratic Yea
Stephanie T. Bolden Democratic Yea
William Bush Democratic Yea
William J. Carson Democratic Yea
Bryan W. Shupe Republican Yea
Charles S Postles Jr. Republican Yea
Daniel B. Short Republican Yea
Jeff Hilovsky Republican Yea
Jeffrey N. Spiegelman Republican Yea
Jesse R. Vanderwende Republican Yea
Kevin S Hensley Republican Yea
Lyndon D. Yearick Republican Yea
Michael F. Smith Republican Yea
Richard G. Collins Republican Yea
Ronald E. Gray Republican Yea
Shannon Morris Republican Yea
Timothy D. Dukes Republican Yea

Official roll call →

SM

Passed 20 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 12001
Republican 6000
Unaffiliated 2000
Total 20001
% of votes cast 95%0%0%5%
How each member voted (21)
Member Party Vote
Kyle Evans Gay — Yea
Sarah McBride — Yea
Bryan Townsend Democratic Yea
Darius J. Brown Democratic Not Voting
David P. Sokola Democratic Yea
John "Jack" Walsh Democratic Yea
Kyra L. Hoffner Democratic Yea
Laura V. Sturgeon Democratic Yea
Marie Pinkney Democratic Yea
Nicole Poore Democratic Yea
Russell Huxtable Democratic Yea
S. Elizabeth Lockman Democratic Yea
Spiros Mantzavinos Democratic Yea
Stephanie L. Hansen Democratic Yea
Trey Paradee Democratic Yea
Brian Pettyjohn Republican Yea
Bryant L. Richardson Republican Yea
Dave G. Lawson Republican Yea
David L. Wilson Republican Yea
Eric Buckson Republican Yea
Gerald W. Hocker Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 189 do?
This Act adds xylazine and it isomers, esters, ethers, salts and salts of isomers, esters and ethers to Schedule III of the Delaware Uniform Controlled Substances Act and expands the authorization for the distribution of testing strips to determine the presence of controlled substances. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the emergence of xylazine across the United States appears to be following the same path as fentanyl, starting in the Northeast and then spreading to the South and working its way into drug markets westward, and the low cost of xylazine contributes to xylazine’s increased presence in the nation’s illegal drug supply. Xylazine is approved only for veterinary use, xylazine is a non-opioid with increasing presence as an adulterant, often in conjunction with opioids, in the illicit drug supply. When used alone and in conjunction with other drugs, xylazine is implicated as a cause or contributing cause of death in the United States. When used in conjunction with an opioid, such as heroin or fentanyl, xylazine may worsen respiratory depression in the event of a drug overdose, and because xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone is not known to be effective at reversing overdoses, and there is no known antidote or reversal agent for xylazine overdose in humans. This Act also exempts testing strips from the drug paraphernalia statute and expands the limitations on liability for lay individuals and organizations that provide a drug testing strip to an individual who uses drugs to reduce the likelihood of the individual experiencing harm. This Act becomes effective upon the expiration of the Emergency Order issued by the Secretary of State placing Xylazine in Schedule III of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act or November 29, 2023, whichever is earlier.
Who sponsors SB 189?
SB 189 is sponsored by Laura V. Sturgeon (Democratic), Russell Huxtable (Democratic), Bryan Townsend (Democratic), Bryant L. Richardson (Republican), Brian Pettyjohn (Republican), Spiros Mantzavinos (Democratic), Trey Paradee (Democratic), and Nicole Poore (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 189?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced June 16, 2023. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 189?
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