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South Carolina Senate Passes Fentanyl-Induced Homicide Bill, Sends Measure to House

By James Seidel | Crime and Cask News Network

COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a bold step aimed at combating the fentanyl crisis, the South Carolina Senate has passed S.156, a bill that would create the new felony offense of fentanyl-induced homicide. The measure, which received unanimous approval in the Senate, now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Sponsored by a bipartisan group of Senators Alexander, Rankin, Garrett, Stubbs, Adams, Bennett, Kimbrell, Young, Turner, and Peeler, the bill establishes severe penalties for anyone who knowingly and unlawfully delivers, dispenses, or provides fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances that later result in someone’s death.

What the Bill Does

Under the proposed law, if a person distributes fentanyl illegally, and another person dies as a proximate result of using that fentanyl, the supplier could be charged with fentanyl-induced homicide, a serious felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

The bill also eliminates the defense that the deceased voluntarily took the fentanyl. This is critical, as defense attorneys often argue that overdose victims are responsible for their own deaths. The only exception under the bill would be if clear and convincing evidence shows the deceased intended to commit suicide.

Closing a Loophole in South Carolina Law

The bill amends Section 16-1-10 of the South Carolina Code, officially adding fentanyl-induced homicide to the state’s list of recognized felonies. By doing so, the law ensures this new offense carries the full weight of South Carolina’s felony sentencing framework.

Supporters argue that this change closes a dangerous loophole that has allowed fentanyl dealers to avoid direct accountability for overdose deaths, even when the connection between their drug sales and the fatality is undeniable.

South Carolina’s Fentanyl Crisis

According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), fentanyl was responsible for 1,494 overdose deaths in the state in 2023 — a 29% increase from the previous year. Fentanyl now accounts for over 70% of all overdose fatalities in South Carolina.

These deaths cut across all demographics, from suburban teenagers to working-class adults and elderly pain patients who unknowingly consumed counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. Law enforcement officials warn that fentanyl is now so prevalent that it has been detected in cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and even marijuana in South Carolina drug seizures.

Fentanyl Death Statistics in South Carolina (2023)

Category	Statistic
Total Overdose Deaths	2,137
Fentanyl-Related Deaths	1,494
Percentage of Overdoses Involving Fentanyl	70%
Increase in Fentanyl Deaths from 2022	+29%
Average Age of Fentanyl Overdose Victims	35 years old
Counties with Highest Fentanyl Death Rates	Horry, Greenville, Charleston, Spartanburg

Source: South Carolina DHEC 2023 Drug Overdose Report

What Happens Next

After passing the Senate with a 43-0 vote, the bill moves to the South Carolina House, where it will be reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee. If the House passes the bill, it will go to Governor Henry McMaster, who is expected to sign it into law.

Once signed, the law would take effect immediately, allowing prosecutors to charge fentanyl dealers with homicide in any fentanyl-related death occurring after the law’s effective date.

Support and Criticism

Supporters — including law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and victims’ families — argue that fentanyl dealers must be held accountable for the devastation they cause.

However, some criminal justice reform advocates warn the law could have unintended consequences, such as criminalizing drug users who share drugs with friends, even if they themselves are addicted. The bill does not distinguish between large-scale traffickers and small-time users who distribute or pass along fentanyl.

South Carolina’s Broader Fight Against Fentanyl

This bill is just one piece of a larger crackdown on fentanyl in South Carolina. In recent years, lawmakers have passed bills:

Increasing mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl trafficking.
Expanding the authority of SLED to investigate overdose deaths as homicides.
Enhancing public education campaigns about the dangers of counterfeit pills and street drugs laced with fentanyl.

Conclusion

If passed into law, S.156 will mark a major shift in how South Carolina prosecutes drug-related deaths, holding dealers directly responsible for the lives lost. As the fentanyl epidemic continues to ravage families and communities, lawmakers say they are sending a clear message that fentanyl is not just a drug — it’s a lethal weapon.

Crime and Cask News Network will continue to follow this legislation as it progresses through the House, providing breaking updates, legal analysis, and interviews with families impacted by fentanyl.

For ongoing coverage of South Carolina’s fentanyl crisis, follow Crime and Cask News Network.

Crime and Cask News Network
James Seidel, Investigative Reporter