Jackson, CA –Inspired by a tragic loss that impacted the Amador County community of Jackson, State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil has introduced SB 1234, known as “Leo’s Law.”
The bipartisan measure aims to close a gap in the state’s child welfare system by requiring fentanyl testing on all court-ordered drug panels before a child is reunified with a parent or guardian.
The bill is named in honor of three-year-old Leonardo “Leo” Towe, a Jackson native who died in June 2024 from accidental fentanyl poisoning while in the care of his mother in Oklahoma. At the time, a child welfare case was active due to prior drug concerns, but standard drug tests did not include a screen for fentanyl.
Senator Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson) introduced the bill alongside co-author Senator Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana). The legislation argues that while drug testing is already a standard part of the reunification process, the exclusion of fentanyl—a synthetic opioid significantly more potent than heroin—is a fatal oversight.
“The drug testing panel already exists — adding fentanyl to the list is a net positive for every life saved and family reunited,” said Senator Alvarado-Gil. “Leo will forever be three years old to our hometown community of Jackson.”
The bill addresses a rapidly escalating crisis among California’s youth. According to the bill’s sponsors:
Fentanyl overdose death rates are currently 18.5 times higher than those for heroin.
Fentanyl poisonings among children aged 12 and younger skyrocketed by 924% between 2015 and 2023.
Leo’s father, Jacob Towe, has made it his mission to turn his personal tragedy into protection for other children. Having successfully advocated for the passage of a similar version of Leo’s Law in Oklahoma—which passed the House with an overwhelming 91-3 vote last week—Towe is now focusing on his home state.
“SB 1234 gives us a real chance to close the deadly gaps that took my sweet boy Leo,” Towe said. “Senator Alvarado-Gil’s commitment is turning our pain into protection for kids across the state.”
The bill builds upon Alexandra’s Law, a 2025 piece of legislation designed to combat the fentanyl crisis. Senator Umberg noted that Leo’s Law is the next logical step in holding systems accountable and protecting the state’s most vulnerable residents.
Leo’s Law now awaits assignment to a Senate committee for further hearings. If passed, it would ensure that no child in California is returned to a home where fentanyl use remains undetected by standard court procedures.
