In a decisive move aimed at preventing more tragedies, Governor Bob Ferguson signed Substitute House Bill 1209 into law, effectively clamping down on sales of highly concentrated sodium nitrite. Commonly reserved for commercial processes, sodium nitrite's darker, more nefarious application has been linked to a string of youth suicides, a problem that Substitute House Bill 1209, now known as Tyler’s Law, seeks to address.
The legislation emerged in the wake of Tyler Schmidt's death, who lost his life after obtaining the chemical online. Despite clear warnings issued since 2018, the online market for sodium nitrite, at concentrations soaring up to 99%, remained alarmingly accessible and unchecked, often without age verification or cautionary measures. In response, the bill drafted by Rep. Sharlett Mena (D-Tacoma), garnered support to mitigate this oversight. “This law is about saving lives and holding companies accountable,” Mena stated in a report by House Democrats.
As outlined by Tyler’s Law, there are now definitive and precautionary measures in place. The sale or transfer of sodium nitrite in concentrations higher than 10% is strictly prohibited to lay consumers. The law now restricts these transactions to verified businesses or entities that can demonstrate a warranted necessity for the chemical. Furthermore, to guarantee compliance and promote awareness, Tyler’s Law mandates clear labeling to indicate the dangers involved, alongside strict record-keeping. Should these stipulations be flouted, civil penalties have been instituted to ensure that accountability is not just a word but an enforced standard.
