Thirty-fifth district Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, has sponsored two pieces of legislation that he says would strengthen the fight against synthetic opioid abuse.
If adopted, House Bill 2233 would classify the presence of illegal drugs as an “imminent harm” to children and require the immediate removal of children from caretakers who use the substances. The bill would create additional training for caseworkers investigating abuse and would provide caseworkers with fentanyl test strips.
Separately, Couture sponsored House Bill 1875, which would classify the assault of a social worker as a felony. The bill would also allow first responders to accompany social workers into a situation they reasonably believe to be dangerous.
Both bills were referred to the Human Services, Youth and Early Learning Committee this week.
“Our children are our future and must be protected at all costs,” said Couture, R-Allyn. “The fact that children already under the care of the state with parents referred to the Department of Children Youth and Families are dying from fentanyl exposure is abhorrent and I will not stand by and watch it continue.”
While lawmakers have introduced similar legislation during the 2024 session, Couture said they do not “go far enough to accomplish what is most important — protecting Washington children.”
“These kids are not making the active decision to expose themselves to fentanyl and if we don’t protect them nobody will,” Couture said.
