The Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law heard Sen. Young’s SB 336 making numerous misdemeanor penalties civil infractions and repealing the crimes of vending machine vandalism and refusing to yield a party line. There were two amendments taken by consent to increase the civil infractions back to misdemeanors with a prior unrelated infraction judgment for the same o … [Read more...] about Misdemeanor penalties
Criminal
Controlled substances
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 76 authored by Sen. Merritt on controlled substances. The bill originally made changes to the weight thresholds for certain controlled substance offenses. It also made Level 2 and Level 3 felonies of dealing in drugs nonsuspendible if the person has a prior unrelated felony conviction other than a felony conviction for a … [Read more...] about Controlled substances
Substance abuse prevention grant programs
The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard SB 111 authored by Sen. Koch on substance abuse prevention grant programs. The bill creates a $100,000 grant program for community and faith-based substance abuse prevention programs as well as a $50,000 grant program for community and faith-based substance abuse prevention transportation assistance. An associate pastor from … [Read more...] about Substance abuse prevention grant programs
Intimidation against utility workers
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 304 authored by Sen. Koch on intimidation against utility workers. The bill originally provided that a person who communicates a threat to another person with the intent of interfering with providing utility service or communications service for a dwelling, building, or other structure commits intimidation, a Class A … [Read more...] about Intimidation against utility workers
Orifice searches and blood draws
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Senator Grooms’ SB 333 regarding orifice searches and blood draws. This bill establishes a procedure authorizing licensed medical personnel to obtain a bodily fluid sample or to retrieve contraband from the bodily orifice of an individual as part of a criminal investigation, and grants immunity to the medical personnel. An amendment was taken by c … [Read more...] about Orifice searches and blood draws