Reps. Jenny Graham and Travis Couture pre-file legislation to protect children from fentanyl exposure

Recognizing the devastating impact of the ongoing drug crisis and its repercussions on children, Rep. Jenny Graham, R-Spokane, and Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, have pre-filed legislation to expand Washington state’s child endangerment laws to include fentanyl and other high-potency synthetic opioids.

House Bill 1087 addresses a growing public safety concern by criminalizing situations where a child or dependent adult is knowingly exposed to fentanyl or other synthetic opioids in homes or environments where these substances are being manufactured or present.

“Fentanyl has devastated families and communities across Washington state. No child should be put in harm’s way because of the reckless actions of adults,” said Graham, newly appointed ranking Republican on the House Community Safety Committee. “This bill is a solution to fix Washington by protecting our most vulnerable and holding offenders accountable.”

“Protecting children from fentanyl must be the top priority,” said Couture. “Ideally, that protection happens before a child tragically loses their life. However, when the unthinkable happens because a parent whose primary job is to protect their children prioritizes their drug use over the safety of their child, that is a crime which requires swift accountability.”

Under current law (RCW 9A.42.100), the crime of endangerment with a controlled substance applies primarily to methamphetamine exposure. House Bill 1087 expands this to include fentanyl, its chemical derivatives, and other high-potency synthetic opioids, which are increasingly linked to overdoses and dangerous environments for children. The bill also makes knowingly exposing a child or dependent adult to these substances a Class B felony, aligning penalties for fentanyl exposure with methamphetamine-related endangerment.

“Fentanyl is far more dangerous and lethal than many other controlled substances. If we are serious about addressing Washington’s drug crisis, we need to take decisive action to keep these deadly substances away from children. Protecting kids shouldn’t be up for debate,” Graham continued. “This bill offers a critical step toward addressing this crisis and safeguarding communities statewide.”

“We must do more to address the addiction crisis in Washington state—specifically regarding fentanyl,” Couture added. “At the same time, we have to ensure this drug is not claiming the lives of Washington children who do not choose to expose themselves to this drug. Sadly, we are seeing these unnecessary deaths rising in our state. When a parent’s addiction costs a child their life, there must be real consequences. This bill ensures those consequences exist.”

The 2025 legislative session begins on Jan. 13 and runs for 105 days.

###

Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov