Troy Howlett Foundation

Troy Howlett Foundation in Action

This information outlines provisions from the Troy Bill, which serves as a guideline for law enforcement regarding the use of confidential informants in drug-related investigations, particularly in the context of the ongoing fentanyl crisis. The bill establishes essential criteria to ensure that informants are used responsibly and ethically, aiming to mitigate risks associated with their involvement in law enforcement activities.

Key provisions include restrictions on who can serve as a confidential informant, ensuring that individuals with recent probation or parole violations are not used without appropriate legal approval. Additionally, the bill emphasizes sobriety requirements, accountability through communication with local attorneys, and preferential assignment of female informants to female officers for enhanced sensitivity and safety.

This legislation is currently under evaluation, and there is hope that its implementation will significantly improve how law enforcement handles informants moving forward. If the guidelines outlined in the Troy Bill had been in place earlier, it could have prevented tragic outcomes, such as the loss of Troy Howlett, emphasizing the bill's potential impact on saving lives.

Troy Bill or HB-1140

65. Establish a model policy for the use of confidential informants in drug-related investigations.

Provisions of such model policy shall include that

(i) no individual who has recently violated the terms of his probation or parole shall serve as a confidential informant, unless approved by the local attorney for the Commonwealth;

(ii) no confidential informant shall unlawfully use or possess any controlled substances, except for possession incidental to controlled purchases conducted under the auspices and direction of law enforcement;

(iii) every confidential informant shall have maintained sobriety from any

unlawful usage of controlled substances for the duration of the preceding six months;

(iv) the local attorney for the Commonwealth shall be kept apprised of the activities of confidential informants for whom prosecutorial discretion of a criminal charge is conditioned upon serving as a confidential

informant; and

(v) to the greatest extent practicable for a given law enforcement agency, female confidential informants shall be assigned to the supervision and instruction of a female officer or detective and

66. Perform such other acts as may be necessary or convenient for the effective performance of

This bill is for you, Troy. Your name now stands for change, justice, and protect protection. It was signed into law on April 13, 2026 in Virginia and goes into affect July 1, 2026.

no individual currently on probation or pre-trial may serve as a confidential inform it without notice to his probation, pre-trial services, or pro Officer. No individual who has within the last six months been found violation of the terms of his probation or parole shall serve as a confidential informant. Law-enforcement personnel shall obtain approval from the appropriate local attorney or the Commonwealth attorney prior to working with a confidential inform it. Confidential informant shall not unlawfully use or possess any controlled substances.

Confidential informant

A new standard for Justice. Integrity. Safety.