Pubdate: Mon, 12 Oct 2015
Source: Sentinel And Enterprise, The (MA)
Copyright: 2015 MediaNews Group, Inc. and Mid-States Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://sentinelandenterprise.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2498
Author: Bob Katzen

HOUSE OKS CRIMINALIZATION OF TRAFFICKING OF DRUG FENTANYL

THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local 
representatives' and senators' votes on roll calls from the week of Oct. 5-9.

CRIMINALIZE FENTANYL TRAFFICKING (H 3755): The House approved (152-0) 
and sent to the Senate a bill that would create the crime of 
trafficking of the drug fentanyl in amounts greater than 10 grams and 
impose a prison sentence of up to 20 years for those convicted of the 
crime. Under current law, a person can only be charged with 
manufacturing, distributing, or possessing fentanyl, but not with trafficking.

Supporters said use of this dangerous drug is accelerating; it is 
estimated to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 30 to 
50 times more potent than heroin. They noted traffickers sometimes 
mix fentanyl with heroin, often without the knowledge of the buyer. 
They argued it is important to have the penalty fit the crime.

(A "Yes" vote is for the bill.)

YES: Reps. Jennifer Benson, Stephen DiNatale, Kimberly Ferguson, 
Sheila Harrington, Dennis Rosa and Jonathan Zlotnik

DIDN'T VOTE: Rep. Harold Naughton

STUDY MINIMUM MANDATORY SENTENCES (H 3755): The House approved 
(110-43) a motion that would indefinitely delay an amendment 
establishing a tiered system of mandatory minimum sentences depending 
on the weight amounts of fentanyl being trafficked. The amendment 
would allow the measure to take effect only after the state has 
furnished a study of the legislation's impact on the local economy 
and the revenue cost to the state and local cities and towns.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom