House Judiciary Committee passes tough penalties to combat fentanyl trafficking

State Rep. Sarah Lightner, chairwoman of the House Judiciary Committee, today secured bipartisan committee support for landmark legislation that imposes tougher penalties on fentanyl dealers and manufacturers throughout Michigan.

“Our communities are tired of burying loved ones because criminals continue to exploit our broken system,” Lightner said. “This legislation delivers the decisive action families demand—punishing traffickers with sentences that match the severity of their crimes. We are standing firmly with victims and families who have suffered too long from inadequate justice.”

House Bills 4255-4256 establish firm mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl traffickers:

            •           Under 50 grams: 5 to 20 years imprisonment

            •           50 to 450 grams: 10 to 25 years imprisonment

            •           450 to 1,000 grams: 15 to 40 years imprisonment

            •           More than 1,000 grams: 30 years to life imprisonment

The legislation, sponsored by Lightner and Rep. Ann Bollin, further mandates severe consequences for adults who distribute fentanyl to minors, requiring a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years and up to 40 years imprisonment. Additionally, the plan introduces a new felony offense for selling or offering products containing fentanyl without clearly disclosing its presence, punishable by a mandatory 10-year sentence to be served consecutively to any other prison term, with no eligibility for suspension, parole, or probation. 

Local families and prosecutors have previously provided powerful testimony in support of the legislation during committee hearings, underscoring the urgent need for these stricter laws.

“Every life lost to fentanyl represents a failure of justice,” Lightner emphasized. “We have an obligation to act swiftly and boldly to end this crisis and restore safety and peace to Michigan families. This legislation does exactly that.”

House Bills 4255-4256 now proceed to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

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