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Bill > H1620

MA H1620

MA H1620
Eliminating mandatory minimum sentences related to drug offenses

summary

Introduced
01/20/2015
In Committee
01/20/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
07/31/2016

Introduced Session

189th General Court

Bill Summary

Relative to eliminating mandatory minimum sentences related to drug offenses. The Judiciary.

AI Summary

This bill aims to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug offenses by amending Chapter 94C of the General Laws, which pertains to controlled substances. It achieves this by striking out various phrases that previously mandated minimum prison terms or fines, and in some cases, repealing entire subsections that established these mandatory minimums. For instance, it removes phrases like "less than one thousand nor" and "less than 3 ½ nor" from several sections, effectively removing the requirement for a minimum penalty. In some instances, the bill replaces these with a maximum fine, such as "not more than twenty-five thousand dollars." Additionally, it modifies penalties for drug offenses committed near schools or parks, establishing a maximum prison term and a fine. The bill also includes provisions that allow individuals currently serving sentences or facing charges for drug offenses to be eligible for sentence reductions for good conduct, participation in educational and work release programs, and clarifies parole eligibility by stating that individuals will not be eligible for parole until they have served half of their mandatory minimum sentence, implying that mandatory minimums are still relevant in this context.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (62)

Benjamin Swan (D)*,  Leah Allen (R),  Brian Ashe (D),  Cory Atkins (D),  Ruth Balser (D),  Christine Barber (D),  Jennifer Benson (D),  Michael Brady (D),  Paul Brodeur (D),  Tony Cabral (D),  Gailanne Cariddi (D),  Evandro Carvalho (D),  Brendan Crighton (D),  Claire Cronin (D),  Michael Day (D),  Marjorie Decker (D),  Marcos Devers (D),  Stephen DiNatale (D),  Dan Donahue (D),  Michelle DuBois (D),  Carolyn Dykema (D),  Jamie Eldridge (D),  Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D),  Linda Forry (D),  Gloria Fox (D),  Sean Garballey (D),  Carmine Gentile (D),  Carlos González (D),  Ken Gordon (D),  Danielle Gregoire (D),  Jonathan Hecht (D),  Paul Heroux (D),  Russell Holmes (D),  Louis Kafka (D),  Jay Kaufman (D),  Mary Keefe (D),  Kay Khan (D),  Peter Kocot (D),  John Lawn (D),  Jason Lewis (D),  Jay Livingstone (D),  Timothy Madden (D),  John Mahoney (D),  Elizabeth Malia (D),  Paul McMurtry (D),  Aaron Michlewitz (D),  Mike Moran (D),  Jim O'Day (D),  Denise Provost (D),  Dave Rogers (D),  Jeff Roy (D),  Byron Rushing (D),  Tom Sannicandro (D),  Paul Schmid (D),  John Scibak (D),  Frank Smizik (D),  Todd Smola (R),  Ellen Story (D),  José Tosado (D),  Steve Ultrino (D),  Aaron Vega (D),  Chris Walsh (D), 

Last Action

Accompanied a study order, see H4706 (on 10/24/2016)
(1 Companion Bills)

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Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/H1620
Bill https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/H1620.pdf
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