Sen. Rick Scott introduces bill cracking down on fentanyl sales over social media
Cami Mondeaux
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EXCLUSIVE — Social media platforms could be required to coordinate more closely with law enforcement to crack down on the sale of fentanyl and other illicit drugs online, according to a new bill being introduced by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) on Thursday.
Under the SOCIAL MEDIA Act, law enforcement call centers would be tasked with fielding information requests from social media platforms to expedite investigations and improve law enforcement coordination over illegal drug transactions. The bill would also push for increased evidence collection as well as data uniformity across platforms, according to the legislation first obtained by the Washington Examiner.
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“Fentanyl and other deadly drugs are making their way to Floridians’ doorsteps, not only through the dark web and drug dealers on the streets, but now through social media apps that our kids have access to,” Scott said. “I have heard too many heartbreaking stories from families across my state about how they lost their child to an overdose of a drug bought through social media.”
The 13-page bill is endorsed by several law enforcement groups, including the National Sheriff’s Association, the Partnership for Safe Medicine, and the Major County Sheriffs of America.
The effort builds on several other pieces of legislation introduced by Scott so far this year seeking to crack down on the fentanyl crisis. The Florida Republican has proposed a similar bill seeking to curb the flow of fentanyl through the country by strengthening data requirements for foreign shipments, which Scott says would allow U.S. officials to block cartel efforts to circumvent Border Patrol agents.
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Another bill would push for better data collection from law enforcement agencies as well as update essential drug testing and tracing systems used nationwide. That bill, the OPIOIDS Act, would also require increased coordination between the office of the National Drug Control Policy and other federal and state agencies.
“It is time to stop the drug dealers and social media platforms that are complicit in the death of the hundreds of thousands of lives we have lost to overdose,” Scott said. “I am proud to stand with law enforcement and families today and introduce my SOCIAL MEDIA Act to finally hold folks accountable and hopefully prevent the loss of another life.”