Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (Jackson-R) has introduced SB 1234, Leo’s Law, a bipartisan measure that will require fentanyl testing on all court-ordered drug panels before a child is reunified with a parent or guardian in the child welfare system. The bill was introduced on behalf of Angel Father Jacob Towe, father of three-year-old Leonardo “Leo” Towe.
Leo Towe (born in Jackson, CA) died tragically in June 2024 in Oklahoma from an accidental fentanyl poisoning after being exposed to the drug while in the care of his mother. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services had a child welfare case opened due to prior drug concerns in the family. Unfortunately, standard testing for drug use does not include fentanyl. The medical examiner ruled the death accidental. Mr. Towe has made it his mission to tell this very personal story in hopes of saving the lives of other children whose family members may struggle with addiction.
The state of Oklahoma's House of Representatives passed Leo's Law (House Bill 4421) on March 26, 2026, by an overwhelming 91-3 bipartisan vote with a standing ovation, following the fentanyl poisoning death of 3-year-old Leo Towe. It now awaits assignment to a Senate committee for further hearings and consideration before a potential floor vote.
“California is following Oklahoma’s lead with an urgent, compassionate solution to a deadly gap in our own system designed to protect children during family reunification,” said Senator Alvarado-Gil. “SB 1234 demonstrates a strong bipartisan initiative to protect children from deadly fentanyl exposure. We cannot allow another life to be lost when we have families grieving the loss of children in our state and across the nation. The drug testing panel already exists - adding fentanyl to the list is a net positive for every life saved and family reunited.”
Senator Alvarado-Gil added: “SB 1234, Leo’s Law, is a bill authored in loving memory of a super hero who loved Spiderman. Leo will forever be 3 years old to our home town community of Jackson in Amador County where Leo was born.”
Co-author Senator Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) stated: “Fentanyl continues to devastate families and communities across California, and we have a responsibility to ensure our laws reflect that reality. Leo’s Law builds on the critical foundation of Alexandra’s Law (2025), which so many of us fought hard to pass to combat the fentanyl crisis. This legislation is an important step forward in holding systems accountable and protecting our most vulnerable by strengthening safeguards for children in dependency proceedings and recognizing the serious risks fentanyl poses.”
The bill addresses a critical need in California. Fentanyl overdose death rates are 18.5 times higher than heroin’s, and fentanyl poisonings among children 12 and younger have skyrocketed 924% since 2015 and 2023. Leo’s Law offers a targeted fix without punitive action - when courts already require drug testing for reunification, fentanyl must be added to the panel.
Jacob Towe, sponsor of the bill, expressed his gratitude: “I am deeply thankful to Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil for her strong leadership as the author of SB 1234, Leo’s Law. As California prepares to take this critical step, I know my son Leo’s memory is being honored in a way that can prevent other families from enduring this heartbreak.”
Towe continued: “Senator Alvarado-Gil’s dedication to championing Leo’s Law in California means the world to me and so many other families. SB 1234 gives us a real chance to close the deadly gaps that took my sweet boy Leo. Her commitment is turning our pain into protection for kids across the state.”