Aiming to curb rising heroin use in the suburbs of New York City, prosecutors on Long Island have written legislation that would allow authorities to charge heroin dealers with homicide after fatal overdoses.
Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said Wednesday the legislation is needed to prosecute "the worst of the worst" criminals.
Her proposed bill would create a "death by dealer" statute, which allows prosecutors to bring felony homicide charges against drug dealers whose customers die from overdoses.
Singas also wants to change statutes to forbid courts from referring some drug dealers to non-jail diversion programs and wants to increase the penalties for those caught selling heroin to children.
The bills are expected to be introduced when the legislature resumes in January.
