Hobbs signs bipartisan bill setting fentanyl sentencing requirements
Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill Wednesday establishing minimum sentencing for some fentanyl related crimes.
The bill sponsored by Rep. Quang Nguyen (R-Prescott Valley) establishes sentencing ranges for people convicted of possessing, transporting and manufacturing a certain amount of fentanyl that they then sell.
“Fentanyl is wreaking havoc on communities, particularly in my home of Yavapai County. It must be stopped and more done to protect Arizona families from losing loved ones to it. This new law, giving law enforcement and prosecutors stronger sentencing tools to go after dealers, will help in that goal,” Nguyen said in a statement.
The new law is known as the Ashley Dunn act, named for a young woman who died from an overdose after taking half a Percocet tablet she didn’t realize was laced with fentanyl.
Her mother, Josephine Dunn, says she’s tried to get the bill passed for three years.
“My daughter lost her life for $5. I can tell you that her drug dealer was a repeat offender,” Josephine Dunn said.
This year, the measure passed out of the Legislature with bipartisan support. Only a handful of Democrats voted against it in both the House and Senate.
While signing the bill, Hobbs also advocated for more funding for law enforcement and resources for treating drug addiction.
“We need to do a lot more than enhance sentencing, we need a holistic approach,” Hobbs said.
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