S. 477 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Feb 6, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryLowers mandatory prison terms for fentanyl offenses
This bill changes how much fentanyl someone needs to have to face a mandatory prison sentence. It lowers the amounts that trigger these required minimums—for example, from 400 grams down to 20 grams for high-level dealers, and from 40 grams down to 2 grams for lower-level offenders. The bill also directs the U.S. Postal Service to strengthen efforts to stop fentanyl and similar drugs from being illegally brought into the country.
How it affects you
If you're involved in the criminal justice system, this affects sentencing outcomes for fentanyl-related convictions. The bill also means the Postal Service will work to intercept more fentanyl shipments, which could reduce the amount of the drug reaching communities.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Feb 6, 2025)
Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act of 2025
This bill modifies the drug quantity thresholds that trigger a mandatory minimum prison term for a defendant who manufactures, distributes, imports, exports, or possesses with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Specifically, the bill reduces from 400 to 20 grams the fentanyl quantity and from 100 to 5 grams the fentanyl analogue quantity that trigger a mandatory minimum prison term for high-level first-time or repeat offenders. It also reduces from 40 to 2 grams the fentanyl quantity and from 10 to 0.5 grams the fentanyl analogue quantity that trigger a mandatory minimum prison term for low-level first-time or repeat offenders.
Additionally, the bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to increase the availability of chemical screening devices and dedicate the appropriate number of personnel to interdict fentanyl and other substances that are unlawfully imported into the United States.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 477
A BILL
Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) · Introduced Feb 6, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 6, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”
Sections
Sections · 5
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2Controlled Substances Act amendmentsNo change
- Sec. 3Controlled Substances Import and Export Act amendmentsNo change
- Sec. 4Directive to the Sentencing CommissionNo change
- Sec. 5Interdiction of fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substancesNo change