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Criminal justice reform nears final legislative negotiations in Annapolis Criminal justice reform nears final legislative negotiations in Annapolis
(about 13 hours later)
Maryland lawmakers approved bills Wednesday that would make broad changes to the state’s criminal justice system and require convicted drunk drivers to breathe into ignition-interlock devices to start their vehicles. The Maryland House approved bills Wednesday that would make broad changes to the state’s criminal justice system and require convicted drunk drivers to breathe into ignition-interlock devices to start their vehicles.
The legislation, approved overwhelmingly by the House of Delegates, moves to a conference committee for differences between the House and Senate versions to be reconciled before the 2016 legislative session ends in five days. The bills, approved overwhelmingly by the House of Delegates, move to conference committees to be reconciled with the Senate versions before the 2016 legislative session ends in five days.
The criminal justice legislation, which the House approved in a 104-to-32 vote, aims to reduce incarceration and recidivism rates by altering the state’s criminal penalties and guidelines for sentencing and parole. Much of the language deals with penalties for nonviolent crimes such as low-level drug possession that disproportionately affect African Americans.The criminal justice legislation, which the House approved in a 104-to-32 vote, aims to reduce incarceration and recidivism rates by altering the state’s criminal penalties and guidelines for sentencing and parole. Much of the language deals with penalties for nonviolent crimes such as low-level drug possession that disproportionately affect African Americans.
The House and Senate have passed significantly different versions.The House and Senate have passed significantly different versions.
The House bill would repeal some mandatory minimum sentences; increase penalties for gang leaders and for child abusers who kill their victims; and reduce the age at which inmates can receive geriatric parole from 65 to 60. The House bill would repeal some mandatory minimum sentences; increase penalties for gang leaders and for child abusers who kill their victims; and reduce the age at which inmates can receive geriatric parole from 65 to 60.
The Senate bill differs in that it would expunge dozens of convictions and allow the automatic parole of nonviolent offenders after they serve 25 percent of their sentences. It would also give judges greater discretion in sentencing those who violate probation.The Senate bill differs in that it would expunge dozens of convictions and allow the automatic parole of nonviolent offenders after they serve 25 percent of their sentences. It would also give judges greater discretion in sentencing those who violate probation.
[Criminal justice bill’s impacts is questioned][Criminal justice bill’s impacts is questioned]
The ignition-interlock bill, dubbed “Noah’s Law” in honor of a Montgomery County police officer who was killed by a suspected drunk driver while on DUI patrol, would require motorists convicted of driving at or above the state’s legal blood-alcohol limit of 0.08 to breathe into the ignition-linked device before trying to start their vehicles.The ignition-interlock bill, dubbed “Noah’s Law” in honor of a Montgomery County police officer who was killed by a suspected drunk driver while on DUI patrol, would require motorists convicted of driving at or above the state’s legal blood-alcohol limit of 0.08 to breathe into the ignition-linked device before trying to start their vehicles.
Both chambers passed the measure unanimously, but the House version includes an option of suspending a driver’s license rather than requiring an ignition interlock.Both chambers passed the measure unanimously, but the House version includes an option of suspending a driver’s license rather than requiring an ignition interlock.
[In Maryland, concern that ‘Noah’s law’ has been watered down][In Maryland, concern that ‘Noah’s law’ has been watered down]
Also on Wednesday, the Senate voted 31 to 14 to ramp up the state’s planned use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar. Under the measure, Maryland would have to generate 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, compared with the current goal of 20 percent by 2022.Also on Wednesday, the Senate voted 31 to 14 to ramp up the state’s planned use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar. Under the measure, Maryland would have to generate 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, compared with the current goal of 20 percent by 2022.
Sen. Robert G. Cassilly (R-Harford), who voted against the measure, argued that the bill will ultimately increase residents’ energy costs. “I see this as a sad bill,” he said.Sen. Robert G. Cassilly (R-Harford), who voted against the measure, argued that the bill will ultimately increase residents’ energy costs. “I see this as a sad bill,” he said.
Environmentalists hailed the measure, saying the new target ranks Maryland sixth nationally in increasing its use of clean energy. Vermont, California, Hawaii, New York and Connecticut have taken similar steps.Environmentalists hailed the measure, saying the new target ranks Maryland sixth nationally in increasing its use of clean energy. Vermont, California, Hawaii, New York and Connecticut have taken similar steps.
Advocates also noted that the measure is the second significant environmental bill to advance this month. On Monday, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) signed a bill that tackles the state’s carbon pollution by requiring sharp reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The measure takes effect in October.Advocates also noted that the measure is the second significant environmental bill to advance this month. On Monday, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) signed a bill that tackles the state’s carbon pollution by requiring sharp reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The measure takes effect in October.
“Maryland is on the cusp of cementing its national leadership role among states in solving climate change,” said Mike Tidwell, the director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “After approving deeper climate-pollution cuts, the General Assembly is now poised to accelerate clean-energy solutions.” “Maryland is on the cusp of cementing its national leadership role among states in solving climate change,” said Mike Tidwell, the director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “After approving deeper climate-pollution cuts, the General Assembly is now poised to accelerate ­clean-energy solutions.”
The House of Delegates passed similar clean-energy legislation last month. The two bills must be reconciled before heading to Hogan’s desk.The House of Delegates passed similar clean-energy legislation last month. The two bills must be reconciled before heading to Hogan’s desk.
The Senate also advanced a House bill that would give the state attorney general authority to regulate transfers of structured-settlement payments to businesses that purchase them at steep discounts. The Senate also advanced a House bill that would give the state attorney general authority to regulate transfers of ­structured-settlement payments to businesses that purchase them at steep discounts.
Additionally, the Senate unanimously approved a bill that would create a task force to study the needs of children in the state’s juvenile justice system. The review would include examining policies on strip searches and shackling. The measure goes to the House for consideration.Additionally, the Senate unanimously approved a bill that would create a task force to study the needs of children in the state’s juvenile justice system. The review would include examining policies on strip searches and shackling. The measure goes to the House for consideration.