Senate Approves Gordner Bills to Combat Methamphetamine

(HARRISBURG) - - Seeking to stop the continuing problem of illegal production of methamphetamine, the Senate today approved a four-bill package sponsored by Senator John R. Gordner (R-27).

"The legislation will make it more difficult to obtain the ingredients necessary to produce methamphetamine, adds new protections for children and cleans up the environmental damage caused by illegal meth labs," said Sen. Gordner. The Senator introduced the legislation with the support of Pennsylvania Attorney General Thomas Corbett and local law enforcement.

Senate Bill 124 provides for the specific offense of operating a methamphetamine laboratory, and increases penalties if the lab is operated near a school, day care center or playground.

Senate Bill 125 provides for penalties for possessing the ingredients necessary for the production of methamphetamine.

Senate Bill 126 provides for defendants to be assessed the environmental clean-up costs associated with methamphetamine laboratories.

Senate Bill 127 combines the criminal provisions of Senate Bill 124 and the environmental provisions of Senate Bill 126.

"Meth labs are environmental disasters just waiting to happen because ingredients in meth production can cause explosions, chemical fires and toxic releases," said Sen. Gordner. "It also makes good sense to increase penalties for the operation of labs and to provide for additional penalties if these labs are operated near where children may be learning and playing."

The package of bills now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.