FRANKFORT, Ky. — House lawmakers on Monday passed a bill that would force those who traffick fentanyl or its derivatives to serve more jail time.

House Bill 215 comes as drug overdose deaths are on the rise in Kentucky, largely spurred by fentanyl. Around 70% of all overdose deaths in the past year were caused by synthetic opioids like fentanyl, according to the CDC.

The measure passed 82-12 and now moves on to the Senate.

House Republican Rep. Chris Fugate's (R-Chavies) bill requires those convicted of trafficking the drug to serve at least 85% of their sentence, up from the current 50%.

"This drug is not just destroying lives and families, it’s taking lives, and it’s killing people all over the state of Kentucky and really across the United States," Fugate said on the floor Monday.

The bill's supporters say something needs to be done about fentanyl deaths. Rep. James Tipton (R-Taylorsville) said it's a personal issue for many Kentuckians, even some in the chamber.

"I dare say there is not an individual in this House chamber that does not know someone either directly or indirectly who has lost loved ones to drug overdoses, particularly to this scourge referred to as fentanyl," Tipton said.

Twelve lawmakers voted against it— citing concerns about increasing the jail population and failing to help people who may need drug addiction treatment.  

Rep. Joni Jenkins (D-Shively) said it's not increased penalties and incarceration that move the needle.

"They’re very expensive for us as a state and we are putting people, we are incarcerating people for many, many years without getting the bang for our buck," she said. "What we know works is treatment."

Fugate responded, saying he doesn't want to punish those who need drug treatment, but rather those who bring it into Kentucky communities.

"I have no sympathy for people that bring poison to the streets and hollers of Kentucky. No sympathy. And they need to go to prison for a long time," he said.