In a major step toward criminal justice reform, the House of Representatives passed a wide-sweeping criminal justice reform bill on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The Senate passed its version last month.
Both bills remove mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug-related crimes, allow for expungement of juvenile records and restrict the use of solitary confinement. Additionally, both also raise the larceny threshold, however at differing amounts. The House bill raises the larceny threshold from $250 to $1,000; the Senate bill raises it from $250 to $1,500.
A six-member conference committee, appointed by both branches, will begin discussions to reach a compromise measure. To see the full text of the bills, click here for the House bill and click here for the Senate bill.