HB 68 Drug Sentencing Modifications requires a court to impose an indeterminate prison term for using or having access to a dangerous weapon while distributing drugs. We negotiated with the sponsor and other stakeholders of this bill to change it from a minimum mandatory to an indeterminate term that can be suspended, as well as limiting the bill to situations where the weapon is knowingly and intentionally accessible. This version of the bill passed.

HB 211 Penalty for False Statement During Drug Arrest passed, creating the class B misdemeanor of an actor falsely stating to a law enforcement officer that they ingested drugs before arrest, if the officer takes the actor to a health care facility for medical treatment. We spoke with law enforcement about this being an issue, it was rarely encountered in the field. Ultimately we did not choose to make this a priority.

HB 356 Bail Amendments requires a jail or pretrial services employee to include additional information with the probable cause statement submitted to the magistrate. Specifically, whether the individual is intoxicated to a degree that would endanger them or someone else if they were released. It does not change the standard or factors a magistrate must consider for release. The bill passed.

SB 60 Drug Paraphernalia Amendments passed. This bill allows dismissal of a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia if the person is currently enrolled in a syringe exchange program and the hypodermic syringe or needle is stored in a sealed puncture-resistant container that is clearly marked on the outside of the container.