Senator Cortese to Join Lawmakers for Media Briefing Promoting Legislation Addressing California’s Fentanyl Crisis

WHAT: State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) will join lawmakers who are separately authoring legislation addressing California’s fentanyl crisis. Senator Cortese will discuss his SB 10, the bipartisan legislation known as “Melanie’s Law.” The bill is named in honor of Melanie Ramos, a 15-year-old who overdosed on fentanyl and died in the bathroom of her high school in Hollywood. Melanie and her teenage friend had no idea they were taking fentanyl.  

WHO:

  • State Senator Dave Cortese, Senate District 15
  • Other lawmakers and speakers including Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, Assembly District 73

WHEN: Thursday, April 20th, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

WHERE: Capitol Park, Grass triangle on 10th and N Streets, State Capitol, Sacramento 95814

RSVP: Media can RSVP to allen.young@sen.ca.gov. We ask that media RSVP in advance of the event.

BACKGROUND:  SB 10 would create opioid prevention and education programs in California schools. It would give school staff, students, and their families’ information about the growing risk of opioids, and also give educators and other school staff the knowledge and tools to save a child who overdoses on campus. The bipartisan bill, which is supported by California’s teachers and other school and law enforcement groups, aligns with the Governor’s budget proposal to make sure every middle and high school can easily access and afford the opioid antagonist Naloxone, also known by its brand name Narcan.