At a previous meeting, the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1203 on listing of xylazine as a controlled substance authored by Rep. Meltzer. The bill makes xylazine a schedule II controlled substance. The bill was amended by consent to establish the crime possession of xylazine, a class A misdemeanor. The offense is enhanced to a Level 6 felony if the person has an unrelated drug conviction. The amendment also excludes veterinarians, pharmacists, and those who prescribe, manufacture, or possess xylazine for a legally permissible reason.
The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Indiana State Medical Association, and the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association testified in support of the bill. The Indiana Public Defender Council testified in opposition. The amended bill was held.
On January 24, 2024, the bill was heard for amend and vote. No further amendment was adopted. The amended bill passed 11-1.
Read the bill at https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/house/1203