CVU Supports AB 1667
Closing a Dangerous Loophole: Why AB 1667 Matters for California’s Youth
Fentanyl is not just another drug crisis. It is one of the most lethal threats facing communities across California, and its impact continues to grow at an alarming rate.
Assembly Bill 1667 (Boerner) addresses a critical gap in the law that has allowed some of the most dangerous conduct involving fentanyl to go under-penalized.
What AB 1667 Does
AB 1667 ensures that individuals who sell, furnish, administer, or give fentanyl to a minor can be charged with a serious felony.
Under current law, this specific conduct is not clearly classified as a serious felony. That gap creates inconsistency in how these cases are handled and weakens accountability for those who target young people with an extremely dangerous substance.
This bill closes that loophole and strengthens legal consequences where they are most needed.
The Growing Impact of Fentanyl
Fentanyl continues to devastate families and communities across the state.
In 2022, fentanyl-related deaths increased by 22 percent
The drug is increasingly present in counterfeit pills and illicit substances
Young people are among the most vulnerable, often unaware of what they are being exposed to
What makes fentanyl especially dangerous is its potency. Even a small amount can be fatal. When minors are involved, the stakes are even higher.
Protecting Youth Through Accountability
AB 1667 sends a clear message: targeting minors with fentanyl is not just reckless, it is a serious crime that demands serious consequences.
By elevating these offenses to a serious felony, the bill:
Strengthens accountability for offenders
Provides prosecutors with clearer tools to pursue justice
Reinforces the importance of protecting youth from exploitation and harm
This is not about expanding punishment broadly. It is about ensuring the law reflects the severity of the conduct and the vulnerability of the victims involved.
A Continued Commitment to Victims
Crime Victims United was founded in 1979 by Harriet Salarno following the murder of her daughter, Catina. From the beginning, the mission has been clear: give victims a voice and advocate for policies that prioritize public safety.
More than four decades later, that mission continues.
AB 1667 represents the kind of targeted, meaningful reform that aligns with that purpose. It focuses on a real and growing threat and responds with a clear, necessary correction to the law.
Support AB 1667
Protecting California’s youth requires both awareness and action.
AB 1667 is a direct response to a deadly crisis and a preventable gap in the law. Crime Victims United is proud to support this measure and urges lawmakers to vote AYE.