March 29, 2024

Representative Steven Howitt supports criminal justice reform legislation

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Boston – The Massachusetts House of Representatives has approved a sweeping criminal justice bill that provides for bail and minimum mandatory sentencing reforms, the reclassification of fentanyl as a Class A substance, and the establishment of a special commission to study the operations of the state crime lab.

State Representative Steven Howitt, R-Seekonk, supported the omnibus bill, which was approved on a vote of 144-9 on November 14 following two days of debate in the House.

Under the House bill, fentanyl – which is now present in 81 percent of all opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts – would be added to the list of Class A substances, along with acetyl fentanyl and carfentanil. The House bill also creates a fentanyl trafficking penalty for 10 grams of fentanyl or any of its derivatives, punishable by a 3 ½ year mandatory minimum sentence with a maximum of 20 years.

“Addressing the opioid crisis in this manner demonstrates that Governor Charlie Baker is paving the way to making Massachusetts a leader in addressing this crisis,” commented Representative Howitt. “ The public’s safety and well-being is always foremost in my mind. I am proud that Massachusetts is leading the way in this battle.”

The House has also proposed creating a special commission to study the operation and management of the Massachusetts state police crime laboratory. In addition to establishing professional qualifications for the head of the crime laboratory, the commission will also consider transferring oversight of the lab to another executive agency or to an independent executive director.

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