Gov. Rick Scott and Central Florida leaders — including Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings and Orlando Police Chief John Mina — held a ceremonial signing Thursday of a bill that creates new penalties for opioid crimes.
- Gov. Rick Scott signs ceremonial bill
- Bill combats opioid crimes with new penalties
- Demings, Mina joined governor at Sheriff's Office
- RELATED:
New criminal penalties will soon be put in place for these kinds of offenses.
The governor signed House Bill 477 on Thursdya morning at the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
The actual signing of the bill happened June 14, but the governor has been traveling Florida to do ceremonial signings of the bill.
HB 477 creates new penalties and enhances existing penalties relating to synthetic opioid drugs, including fentanyl. The bill would make the punishments for selling fentanyl and carfetanyl the same as any other controlled substance.
The governor declared a public health emergency in May. Scott said this bill will help communities fight the national opioid epidemic and keep families safe.
"Drug abuse has the potential to affect entire families. … It did my family," he said. "Including innocent children, it's crucial that we know what resources counties need in order to protect these kids."
Scott is not the only one wanting to address the issue. Orange County commissioners approved $500,000 to help treat opioid addiction last week. They are expanding a pilot program at the Orange County Jail that will offer Vivitrol, an extended-release injection medication to inmates who suffer from heroin addiction.