SB 1506 Summary

• Reduces penalties for unlawful possession of cocaine, heroin, and controlled substances in Schedules III-V from felony to misdemeanor, with imprisonment limited to no more than one year in county jail.

• Excludes misdemeanor convictions for unlawful possession of concentrated cannabis from drug offender registration requirements that previously applied to all such convictions.

• Increases drug program fees for misdemeanor drug possession convictions to $500 for first offense and $1,500 for subsequent offenses; reduces to $250 and $500 respectively if defendant accepts probation.

• Authorizes jail administrators to require defendants who reject probation to serve remaining sentences on continuous electronic monitoring if jail space is insufficient, with conditions related to the offense and sanctions for violations.