Rep. Travis Couture continues fight to stop needless fentanyl-related deaths of children with new bill

In his years-long effort to stop the needless deaths of children exposed to fentanyl by parents struggling with addiction, Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, has prefiled legislation to protect children from fentanyl and other dangerous drugs in the home.

Fentanyl is the leading cause of death among kids under Child Protective Services supervision.

“The state of Washington is leaving innocent babies and toddlers trapped in homes where parents are actively abusing hard drugs like fentanyl and meth,” said Couture. “The Department of Children, Youth and Families thinks it’s safe to lock small children in homes where they can easily ingest these deadly drugs that in some cases look like candy. These kids are dying because parents are prioritizing drugs over them. It is our job to make sure that can’t happen. It is our job to give these kids the chance they deserve.”

While much of the nation has seen a drop in fatal overdoses, Washington continues to see an increase, with nearly 3,600 overdose deaths in Washington state between May of 2023 and April 2024. Most of those deaths were related to fentanyl.

At the same time, Washington state saw a significant increase in the number of young children dying or nearly dying because of accidental fentanyl exposure in the home last year, according to the latest Office of Family and Children’s Ombuds report.

Couture’s House Bill 1092 is an effort to reverse that trend. The bill would require law enforcement or Child Protective Services to remove kids from dangerous homes with fentanyl or other hard drug abuse. A parent or guardian’s promise to keep their drugs secured, such as in a lock box, would not be considered a sufficient safeguard to protect kids in the home.

After removing a child, parents would be urged to seek treatment for their addiction and offered services. A child who has been removed from the home due to exposure to fentanyl and other hard drugs can be reunited with their family once the Department of Children, Youth, and Families can show the parent or guardian has at least six months of sobriety by way of passing random drug screenings twice a month.

“This bill is not about punishing parents it is about saving the lives of children,” said Couture. “We must be able to remove kids from the home to ensure their safety and to make sure parents can get the help that they need to get safe and sober. But we also must hold those who allow their kids to die because of their hard drug abuse accountable.”

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov