Oklahoma Senator Todd Gollihare joined Oklahoma Representative Kyle Hilbert, families, and community advocates at the Capitol recently to introduce “Leo’s Law,” a proposal aimed at strengthening fentanyl testing requirements in child welfare cases.
The legislation is named for Leonardo “Leo” Towe, a three-year-old Oklahoma child who died from fentanyl poisoning during a custody dispute. At the time, drug screening panels used in the child welfare process did not include fentanyl, a gap the proposal seeks to close.
“This was a tragedy of biblical proportions,” Gollihare said. “No child in this state should ever be returned to a home where fentanyl exposure is suspected but not tested for. Leo’s Law is designed to eliminate the blind spots that allowed this to happen. When fentanyl is suspected, testing must be mandatory. Anything less is failure.”
Leo’s Law would require the Department of Human Services to include fentanyl testing in all child welfare drug screenings where fentanyl use is suspected, covering investigations, removals, and ongoing cases. Individuals tested would pay the cost unless they qualify for a state or federal voucher program or similar public assistance. A fifty dollar fine in child endangerment cases involving fentanyl would help offset testing costs.
Speaker Hilbert said the legislation reflects the urgency of the crisis.
“Fentanyl is not just a public health issue, it is a child welfare crisis. Fentanyl is now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. This legislation ensures our laws match the reality of the threat.”
Gollihare said the goal is to ensure no family faces the same tragedy.
“Leo’s Law cannot bring Leo back,” he said. “But it can ensure that his death leads to meaningful change and that families across Oklahoma are protected before tragedy strikes.”
The legislation will be filed ahead of the 2026 legislative session.
