This bill establishes a new cause of action for first-degree murder in cases where an individual causes the death of another person by unlawfully delivering, dispensing, or providing fentanyl or a fentanyl-related substance. Specifically, it amends Section 707.2 of the Iowa Code to include a provision that holds a person criminally liable if their actions result in the death of another due to the injection, inhalation, absorption, or ingestion of the controlled substance. The bill classifies this offense as a class A felony, which carries a penalty of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that it is not a valid defense for the accused to argue that the deceased contributed to their own death through their own actions, such as knowingly using the substance or consenting to its administration. This provision aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding drug-related deaths and hold individuals accountable for their role in distributing dangerous substances like fentanyl.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 707.2