House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to enhance the safety protocols surrounding the handling of fentanyl in courthouses. The bill enacts new provisions in the Code of Evidence and Louisiana Revised Statutes, specifically prohibiting the physical presence of fentanyl in courthouses, including substances collected as evidence. Instead, parties wishing to establish the presence of fentanyl must provide an authenticated photograph and a certificate of analysis from a law enforcement-operated criminalistics laboratory. Exceptions are made for individuals with valid prescriptions for fentanyl medications, who can bring their prescriptions into the courthouse after notifying court security.

Additionally, the bill grants judges the discretion to allow fentanyl into courthouses if deemed necessary for trial purposes, but only under strict conditions. If allowed, the substance must be handled exclusively by trained law enforcement officers, and court security must be notified in advance. The bill emphasizes that clerks of court and other court officers not trained in handling controlled substances are prohibited from accepting or managing fentanyl. Overall, the legislation seeks to mitigate the risks associated with fentanyl exposure in court settings while maintaining the integrity of legal proceedings.