Drug Defelonization Bill Approved by Connecticut’s Full Senate
A bill to remove felony charges for personal drug possession, reducing it to a misdemeanor, has been passed by Connecticut’s full Senate with a 22 to 14 vote, according to the Associated Press.
The measure, which is part of Governor Dannel Malloy’s Second Chance Society proposal, received wide bipartisan support, including being supported by Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, and House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, both Republicans.
The proposal is part of an overall effort by Governor Malloy to reduce the amount of nonviolent people in prison, and to allow those who commit crimes to more easily integrate back into society.
In addition to defelonizing personal drug possession, the Senate voted to remove a two-year mandatory minimum charge on those possessing drugs within 1,500 feet of a school zone, reducing the charge to a misdemeanor for a first and second offense (the law would change a school zone to be solely within the boundaries of a school).
Unfortunately the session ended before the proposal could be passed by the full legislature, but they may take up the issue as part of a special session.
– TheJointBlog