Texas Legislature Passes Fentanyl Child Endangerment Act Headed to Governor

The Texas Legislature has passed the Fentanyl Child Endangerment Act (HB 166), which makes it a felony to expose children, the elderly, or disabled adults to fentanyl and its derivatives. The bill, developed with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office, updates the Texas Penal Code to apply the same severe penalties for fentanyl-related endangerment as for methamphetamine, without affecting medical uses of fentanyl. The legislation passed nearly unanimously in both the House (140-1) and Senate (30-1) and has been sent to Governor Greg Abbott for signature, with an effective date of September 1, 2025. Fentanyl poisoning deaths have risen sharply in Texas over recent years, reaching over 2,300 in 2023, accounting for nearly half of all accidental drug deaths in the state. Supporters, including Senator Kelly Hancock, emphasize that the bill equips local law enforcement and prosecutors with stronger tools to protect vulnerable populations from the deadly effects of fentanyl exposure. Public data on fentanyl deaths is available through the Texas Department of State Health Services Fentanyl Trends Dashboard, underscoring the urgency of this legislative response.