Bill > H2013

This bill addresses drug-induced homicide by establishing new legal provisions and a permanent oversight commission. Section 1 creates a severe penalty for individuals who, while trafficking or unlawfully distributing a Class A controlled substance, provide a substance that results in a person's death, with potential punishment up to life in prison. Section 2 provides a legal protection for individuals who seek medical assistance in good faith for someone experiencing a drug overdose, ensuring they cannot be charged or prosecuted under the bill's provisions. Section 3 establishes a comprehensive commission comprised of representatives from various state agencies, law enforcement, legislative bodies, and experts in substance use, recovery, racial justice, and law enforcement. This commission will oversee drug-induced homicide laws, review convictions, investigate potential prejudices in charging and sentencing, ensure treatment options are prioritized, and confirm that sentencing remains at the judge's discretion without mandatory minimum sentences. The commission is required to convene every 120 days, produce an initial report within 365 days of the act's passage, and submit annual reassessments and policy recommendations to key state officials. Commission members will serve two-year terms, with vacancies filled by the original appointing authority.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2013