# Stop Pills That Kill Act

This bill is designed to crack down on the distribution and sale of counterfeit and illicit pills that contain fentanyl and other deadly drugs. The main goal is to stop criminals from making fake prescription pills—pills that look like legitimate medications but actually contain dangerous synthetic opioids that can kill people with just a tiny amount.

The bill does this by increasing criminal penalties for people who manufacture, distribute, or possess these counterfeit pills with the intent to sell them. It also gives law enforcement stronger tools to investigate and prosecute these crimes. The legislation recognizes that many people don't realize they're taking fentanyl when they buy pills on the street that appear to be legitimate medications like Xanax, Adderall, or OxyContin. These fake pills are a major driver of overdose deaths across the country.

The bill affects drug traffickers and criminal organizations most directly, making the penalties for this specific crime more severe. It also impacts law enforcement agencies by giving them additional resources and authority to pursue these cases. For the general public, the bill aims to reduce the number of counterfeit pills in circulation, which could help prevent accidental overdose deaths, particularly among young people and those struggling with substance use disorders who may not realize what they're actually taking.

Stop Pills That Kill Act

Grassley, Chuck

Stop Pills That Kill Act This bill increases criminal penalties for offenses relating to the manufacture of fentanyl or counterfeit substances. It also establishes requirements for federal agencies to address the use of counterfeit substances. Specifically, the bill applies an increased criminal penalty for possessing, manufacturing, or distributing certain equipment or materials that are used to illegally manufacture fentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl, or a counterfeit substance (the increased penalty is currently limited to offenses involving methamphetamine). The bill also requires the United States Sentencing Commission to review sentencing guidelines and amend them, if appropriate, to include an enhanced penalty for those who knowingly misrepresent counterfeit pills that have fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, or methamphetamine as legitimate pills. The Drug Enforcement Administration must establish and implement a plan to address counterfeit fentanyl or methamphetamine substances through law enforcement action and education and prevention efforts. In addition, the Department of Justice must annually report on the collection of counterfeit fentanyl or methamphetamine substances by law enforcement and on related prosecutions.