Thursday, March 3, 2011

Sweeping Penal Code Bill Signed into Law

Beshear signs into law sweeping bill to overhaul criminal code

Gov. Steve Beshear signed into law Thursday a broad overhaul of Kentucky’s criminal code, saying House Bill 463 “helps us be tough on crime, while being smart on crime."

The legislation changes Kentucky drug laws by reducing prison time for low-risk, non-violent drug offenders who possess small amounts of illegal drugs.

It then reinvests the savings from the reduced prison costs into drug treatment opportunities for offenders who need help.

The full text can be found here

Watch this blog for summaries and analysis in the coming months.