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Easing Mandatory Drug Sentencing in Maryland

creative commons

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A bill to repeal mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain drug-related charges has cleared the Maryland House of Delegates.

Supporters said the bill would give judges more freedom to determine an appropriate sentence for someone found guilty of certain drug charges. Delegates passed the measure 85-55. 

Bill sponsor Del. Curtis Anderson, a Baltimore City Democrat, said the measure allows judges to consider drug treatment for a person, rather than having current law dictate how long they must sentence someone to time behind bars.

The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Heroin Dealers

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A bill that would hold heroin dealers responsible in the case of a fatal overdose is returning to the committee level.

On Monday, lead bill sponsor Del. Kathleen Dumais asked that the measure be referred back to committee so that it can be considered next year. Dumais is a Democrat representing Montgomery County.

Dumais told her fellow delegates the referral was made in light of statewide efforts already in place to fight drug trafficking and use. Currently Maryland has no specific law that charges a drug dealer as a contributor to someone's death in the event of a heroin or fentanyl overdose.

Last month, Gov. Larry Hogan declared widespread use of the drug an emergency and laid out a plan to help address the rising rate of fatal overdoses.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.