Massachusetts legislators approved a bill calling for sweeping changes to the state's criminal justice system early Friday.
Massachusetts legislators approved a bill calling for sweeping changes to the state's criminal justice system early Friday.
The Democratic-controlled Senate voted 27-10 in favor of the measure around 1:30 a.m. Friday morning, after hours of debate over the many amendments proposed in the legislation.
Such reforms include the repeal of mandatory minimum sentences for low-level drug offenses, a stricter set of guidelines for judges regarding the bail system, raising the age at which someone can be charged in adult court, and allowing for the compassionate release of elderly or weak inmates.
The bill also proposes allowing low-income defendants to pay lower court fees and fines, to eliminate what Senate President Stan Rosenberg's office calls a "modern day 'debtor's prison.'"
"It's time Massachusetts joins the national let's get smart on crime movement," Rosenberg (D-Amherst) said in a statement. "This bill protects public safety and makes commonsense reforms while improving outcomes with our precious tax dollars."
Advocates for the bill believe the state has long-needed to change the process to address recidivism and over-incarceration.
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.