OLYMPIA – The Washington State House of Representatives has passed House Bill 1209, also known as Tyler’s Law, to regulate the sale of highly concentrated sodium nitrite, a product linked to multiple suicides.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Sharlett Mena (D-Tacoma), prohibits the sale or transfer of sodium nitrite products with a concentration higher than 10 percent, except to verified businesses or institutions that require its use. It also requires warning labels, record-keeping, and establishes civil penalties for businesses that violate the law.
Tyler’s Law is named in honor of Tyler Schmidt, who died by suicide after purchasing sodium nitrite online. As early as 2018, online retailers became aware that children and young adults were purchasing sodium nitrite on their platforms to die by suicide. Despite these warnings, some retailers did not remove the product while others only did so temporarily.
Sodium Nitrite is commonly used in meat curing in concentrations of 6 percent. It was purchased online by youth at concentrations of 99 percent. At concentrations above 10 percent, it has no household use and becomes lethal.
“Unless the legislature acts, there is nothing that prevents the sale of sodium nitrite to the public at lethal concentrations,” said Rep. Mena. “Young people were able to purchase sodium nitrite with just a few clicks and $20. It must be easier for them to get help than get their hands on a lethal product.”
The bill includes an emergency clause, meaning it will take effect immediately once the governor signs it into law. HB 1209 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
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