YORK, PA – Senator Mike Regan (R-31) and York County District Attorney Dave Sunday held a press conference today to announce the introduction of Senate Bill 1222, legislation Regan is sponsoring to establish sentencing guidelines and penalties specifically for the trafficking of fentanyl.
“District Attorney Sunday and I have worked together on the York County Heroin Task Force, now the York Opioid Collaborative, and since 2013, we have seen heroin-related deaths spike year-after-year, despite all that is being done within our communities and across our Commonwealth to address the opioid epidemic,” said Regan. “What autopsies are showing is that the leading factor of these deaths is fentanyl.”
As District Attorney, Sunday has made York County a leader prosecuting for Drug Delivery Resulting in Death (DDRD) cases. However, due to court rulings nullifying mandatory minimums for drug trafficking, district attorneys have been left with fewer tools to remove drug dealers from the streets.
“I am pleased to be working with Senator Regan on this legislation to establish mandatory minimums in compliance with previous court rulings to target individuals dealing fentanyl,” said Sunday. “This mandatory provision will give prosecutors a much needed tool in our daily fight to rid our communities of those seeking to enrich themselves at the cost of human lives.”
Senator Regan and DA Sunday were joined by other local law enforcement and elected officials in support of the legislation, which is currently awaiting referral to committee in the Senate.
Informational Charts: York County Heroin/Fentanyl Deaths 2013-2018 | Senate Bill 1222 Fentanyl Sentencing and Penalties
CONTACT: Erin Marsicano – (717) 787-8524, emarsicano@pasen.gov (Senator Regan)
Kyle King – (717) 476-6207, kgking@yorkcountypa.gov (DA Sunday)