Sen. Cortese's Statement on CA Assembly Appropriations Committee Approving His SB 908 - Stopping Fentanyl Exposure to Young Children

SAN JOSE, CA – Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) issued the following statement regarding his Senate Bill 908 (SB 908) being approved by the California Assembly Appropriations Committee moving it out of the Suspense File and onto the Assembly Floor for a vote.

SB 908 aims to address the critical need for a standardized public health response to the fentanyl crisis affecting children aged five and younger. It mandates the State Department of Public Health to track and analyze trends in fentanyl-related deaths within this age group, develop preventative guidelines, and disseminate this crucial information to all California counties. The bill also requires annual reporting of findings and recommendations to enhance the collective efforts to safeguard young lives from the lethal risks of opioid poisoning.

“Our children age five and younger are being negatively affected at alarming and fatal numbers by the fentanyl epidemic rampant across our city streets. By identifying fentanyl-related fatality trends we will be better equipped to roll out a coordinated and united response that could end up saving dozens of young lives,” said Senator Cortese. “I applaud my Assembly colleagues on the Appropriations Committee for giving our children a fighting chance at life.” 

Senator Dave Cortese represents Senate District 15, which encompasses San Jose and much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. Visit Senator Cortese’s website: https://sd15.senate.ca.gov

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