Criminal Justice: creating alternatives – 3/1/2011

HB 1775, our Restorative Justice bill, was amended on the House Floor to increase the juvenile population eligible for diversion through Restorative Justice programs and passed by a 96:1 vote. EHB 1775 has now been put on first reading in the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee.

The Senate companion bill, SB 5706, remains in Senate Rules Committee where it got one pull and needs one more before it will be put on the Senate Floor Calendar for a vote by the State Senate.

Action: Contact Senate Rules Committee members and request they pull SB 5706 from the green sheet to the Senate Floor Calendar for a vote in the State Senate.

SB 5236: Review of 3-strikers also received two pulls in Senate Rules and is now on the Senate Floor Calendar for a vote by the State Senate.

Action: Contact your Senators and request they vote yea to support SB 5236 when it comes up for a vote on the senate floor.

HB 1020, which reinstates 50% earned-release time for nonviolent offenders, appears to be cut off from further consideration this session.

SSB 5073, which reduces the potential that those prescribing or selling medicinal marijuana are jailed for their efforts, was voted out of the Senate Ways and Means and referred to Senate Rules where it needs two pulls.