WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESSB 5071

SB 5071: Synthetic opioids/endanger.

Updating the endangerment with a controlled substance statute to include fentanyl or synthetic opioids.

Summary

  • Expands the scope of the crime of endangerment with a controlled substance to include fentanyl and synthetic opioids, not just substances related to methamphetamine.
  • Lowers the mental state required for conviction from knowingly and intentionally to knowingly and recklessly.
  • Enacts certain exemptions from criminal liability.
  • Requires a court to automatically impose the parenting sentencing alternative on a person convicted of endangerment with a controlled substance, unless the person is ineligible for this sentencing alternative under existing criteria or the person has a prior conviction for endangerment with a controlled substance.
  • Directs a court that is not required to automatically impose the parenting sentencing alternative to consider additional information about past substantiated referrals of abuse or neglect, along with reports from guardians ad litem.

From the Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill Report (ESSB 5071), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
  1. IntroducedJan 13, 2025
  2. Out of committeeJan 24, 2025
  3. Passed SenateFeb 5, 2025
  4. Passed Housestopped here
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
John Braun (R-20)
Introduced
January 13, 2025 in the Senate
Last action
March 12, 2026
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5071, SSB 5071, ESSB 5071

AN ACT Relating to updating the endangerment with a controlled substance statute to include fentanyl or synthetic opioids;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: John Braun (R-20)

11 co-sponsors (2 Democrats, 9 Republicans)

Manka Dhingra D-45Leonard Christian R-4Perry Dozier R-16Phil Fortunato R-31Chris Gildon R-25Curtis King R-14Deborah Krishnadasan D-26Jim McCune R-2Keith Wagoner R-39Judy Warnick R-13Jeff Wilson R-19

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 5, 2025
Version voted on: ESSB 5071
42 Yea 7 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat23700
Republican19000
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed January 21, 2026
Version voted on: ESSB 5071
40 Yea 9 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat21900
Republican19000
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

History

  1. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (ESSB 5071)
  2. First reading, referred to Community Safety. (ESSB 5071)
  3. Third reading, passed; yeas, 40; nays, 9; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESSB 5071)
  4. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5071)
  5. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 5071)
  6. Returned to second reading for amendment. (ESSB 5071)
  7. Rules suspended. (ESSB 5071)
  8. Placed on third reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 5071)
  9. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (ESSB 5071)
  10. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (ESSB 5071)
  11. First reading, referred to Community Safety. (ESSB 5071)
  12. Third reading, passed; yeas, 42; nays, 7; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESSB 5071)
  13. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5071)
  14. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESSB 5071)
  15. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  16. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 5071)
  17. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  18. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESSB 5071)
  19. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  20. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESSB 5071)
  21. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  22. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.
  23. Prefiled for introduction.

SB 5071 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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