Amabile Suicide Prevention Bill Passes Committee

DENVER, CO - The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed bipartisan legislation aimed to prevent suicides by regulating sales of sodium nitrite products. The bill passed unanimously by a vote of 10-0.

“It is far too easy for people to access sodium nitrite products, which has unfortunately contributed to many suicide deaths in Colorado,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Suicide by sodium nitrite is becoming increasingly common, and hundreds of sodium nitrite-related suicides have been linked to a single private seller. Regulating sodium nitrite purchases will prevent suicide across our state, saving countless Colorado lives.”

Sodium nitrite “suicide kits” are easily accessible online and have been reported to be used by Colorado residents, especially youth, in recent years. Websites that sell these kits often have step-by-step instructions on how to use sodium nitrite to commit suicide. 

HB24-1081, also sponsored by Representative Marc Catlin, would regulate the sale or transfer of products that contain 10 percent or greater of sodium nitrite. Sellers would be required to verify that commercial businesses require the product before a transaction could be made, and records of sales or transfers must be kept for three years.

Violators could see $10,000 in civil penalties for a first violation, with up to $1 million for a second violation.