Stop Pills That Kill Act

H.R. 8005, the Stop Pills That Kill Act, would strengthen federal law enforcement tools to combat the production and distribution of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl and methamphetamine. The bill would expand existing criminal penalties for possessing equipment or materials used to illegally manufacture these counterfeit substances, which currently apply only to methamphetamine production. If enacted, the legislation would also require the Drug Enforcement Administration to develop a comprehensive plan within 180 days to address counterfeit fentanyl and methamphetamine through law enforcement action and education efforts.

The bill would also direct the Department of Justice to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the number of counterfeit pills seized by law enforcement, prosecutions related to these substances, and the effectiveness of public awareness campaigns. Additionally, it would require the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and potentially increase sentencing guidelines for individuals who knowingly misrepresent counterfeit pills containing fentanyl or methamphetamine as legitimate prescription drugs. The legislation is currently under consideration in the House Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Energy and Commerce.