The Senate Appropriations Committee heard Sen. Broden’s SB 132 on food stamp assistance after drug conviction. This bill allows certain individuals who were convicted of a drug offense, but have not been convicted of another drug offense in the previous five years before applying for food stamps to receive food stamps. It also permits individuals who have had a conviction in the p … [Read more...] about Food stamp assistance after drug conviction
Criminal
Methamphetamine matters
The Senate Appropriations Committee heard Sen. R. Michael Young’s SB 161 on methamphetamine matters. This bill defines "drug related felony", and requires courts to report drug related felonies to the State Police Department. It requires the State Police Department to report drug related felonies to the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) so that NPLEx can generate a stop sale a … [Read more...] about Methamphetamine matters
Battery and neglect of a dependent
The Senate Corrections & Criminal Law Committee heard, for amendment and vote only, SB 178 authored by Sen. Messmer on battery and neglect of a dependent. The bill enhances the felony level for battery or neglect offenses committed against an endangered adult or person with a mental or physical disability by one level for the base offenses or offenses resulting in bodily injury … [Read more...] about Battery and neglect of a dependent
Bias crimes
The Senate Corrections & Criminal Law Committee heard SB 220 authored by Sen. Glick on bias crimes. The bill creates a sentence enhancement, to be served consecutively to the sentence for the underlying offense, for crimes committed with intent to harm or intimidate a victim because of the victim’s race, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, etc. Sen. G … [Read more...] about Bias crimes
Correctional officers and possession of handguns
The Senate Corrections & Criminal Law Committee heard SB 226 authored by Sens. Eckerty and Tomes on correctional officers and possession of handguns. The bill would permit corrections officers who supervise detainees to possess one handgun securely locked in their vehicle while on the penal facility’s property. Sen. Eckerty explained that corrections officers are often t … [Read more...] about Correctional officers and possession of handguns