House Passes Bill To Repeal Mandatory Minimum Sentences

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.

Prison