Drug dealers who leave victims permanently injured currently face no specific criminal penalty under Michigan law if their victim survives. State Rep. Sarah Lightner recently voted to change that, supporting legislation creating a new felony offense for delivering a controlled substance that causes serious injury.

Michigan law already allows charges when drug delivery results in death, but it does not address cases where victims survive with devastating, life-altering injuries. House Bills 5157-5158 would close that gap by allowing prosecutors to charge dealers when the drugs they sell cause severe harm.

“Drug dealers are leaving a trail of destruction in communities across Michigan,” Lightner said. “When someone pushes dangerous drugs that leave a victim permanently injured or severely impaired, there must be real consequences.”

Under the bill, a person who delivers a Schedule 1 or 2 controlled substance — other than marijuana — that is consumed and causes serious injury could face a felony punishable by life in prison or any term of years. The legislation defines serious injury to include permanent disfigurement or significant impairment of health or bodily function.

Lightner said the measure builds on her work to combat Michigan’s opioid crisis. She is also working on legislation establishing tougher penalties for fentanyl trafficking.