Bill to legalize fentanyl test strips passes Texas House

AUSTIN (Nexstar) - Texas House lawmakers gave preliminary approval to legislation that legalizes the possession of test strips for fentanyl and xylazine. House Bill 1644 passed 145-0. The bill requires one more vote before it can move to the Senate for consideration.

Test strips allow people to determine if the drugs they are using contain fentanyl or xylazine. Texas Health and Human Services reports that a large number of fentanyl-related deaths are a result of people taking counterfeit prescription drugs.