The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 71 on parole authored by Sen. Bohacek. The bill specifies that a person placed on parole following a term of imprisonment that includes a sentence for a crime of violence may be released on parole for not more than 24 months. The bill also provides that time served while confined to a prison or jail does not count toward t … [Read more...] about Parole
Criminal
Conviction data
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 136 on conviction data authored by Sen. Sandlin.The bill defines "prohibited person" as a person prohibited from possessing a firearm or carrying a handgun. The bill requires: (1) the Office of Judicial Administration to establish a system to transmit certain data to assist in determining whether a person is a … [Read more...] about Conviction data
Drug schedules
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 379 on drug schedules authored by Sen. Sandlin.The bill adds to the list of controlled substances various opioids, anti-depressants, a dissociative drug, and a psychomotor stimulant. The bill was amended by consent to correct misspellings and add alternative spellings to various chemical … [Read more...] about Drug schedules
Funding for defendant examinations
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 405 authored by Sen. Walker on funding for defendant examinations. The bill requires the Office of Judicial Administration to establish and administer a program to provide a regional pool of mental health examiners who are available for appointment upon request by a court to conduct a competency examination of a defendant and mental health e … [Read more...] about Funding for defendant examinations
Competency to stand trial
The House Ways and Means Committee heard HB 1194 on competency to stand trial authored by Rep. McNamara. The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee referred the bill to Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 127. The bill provides that certain licensed individuals may examine a defendant and testify as to whether the defendant can understand the criminal proceedings and assist in … [Read more...] about Competency to stand trial