ILLINOIS HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE PUSHING LEGISLATION TO HELP PREVENT FENTANYL-RELATED DEATHS. 

THE BILL LETS PHARMACISTS AND RETAILERS SELL FENTANYL TEST STRIPS. REPRESENTATIVE BILL HAUTER OF MORTON, ALSO A DOCTOR, SAYS THESE STRIPS NEED TO BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE.

UNDER THE BILL, RETAILERS AND PHARMACISTS WOULD BE ABLE TO SELL FENTANYL TEST STRIPS, AND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS COULD DISTRIBUTE THEM FOR FREE. THE STRIPS CAN DETECT THE PRESENCE OF FENTANYL IN A DRUG, WHICH IS VITAL SINCE ONLY A TRACE AMOUNT CAN POTENTIALLY KILL SOMEONE. REPRESENTATIVE JEFF KEICHER OF SYCAMORE LOST A COUSIN TO A FENTANYL-RELATED OVERDOSE.

THE MEASURE HAS CLEARED A HOUSE COMMITTEE.