CFO Patronis Applauds Gov. DeSantis for Signing Fentanyl Protections for First Responders

4/9/2024

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 Contact: Office of Communications, [email protected], 850.413.2842

CFO Patronis Applauds Gov. DeSantis for Signing Fentanyl Protections for First Responders

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis applauded Governor Ron DeSantis' signing of Senate Bill 718, Exposures of First Responders to Fentanyl, by Senator Jay Collins and Representative Jessica Baker. This legislation increases the penalty for illegally possessing fentanyl that leads to the exposure of a first responder resulting in an overdose or serious bodily injury.

CFO & State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, "With the unprecedented amounts of drugs pouring in from the southern border, Florida's first responders and firefighters are faced with the new and harsh reality of potentially coming into contact with these substances while on duty in our communities. These heroes are on the frontlines of this crisis, and we owe it to them as a state to have their backs as they work to protect Floridians from the dangers of this illegal substance. Thank you to Senator Collins and Representative Baker for sponsoring this bill in the legislature to increase the penalty for those criminals who put our first responders in harm's way by illegally possessing fentanyl and other similar dangerous drugs. I am honored to support our first responders and Governor DeSantis as he signs this good bill into law."

Senator Jay Collins said, "The dangers of fentanyl are pervasive throughout our state, and we want to ensure that criminals who carry this garbage are removed from our communities and serve hard time. I was proud to sponsor this legislation in Florida Senate and thank Representative Baker for carrying this bill in the Florida House. I also want to thank CFO Patronis for his unwavering support of Florida's first responders and the Governor for his signature and making this bill law."

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida's Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida's firefighters, and ensure the state's finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).