HB 247 Summary

• Eliminates mandatory minimum prison sentences and fines for first convictions of drug trafficking involving cocaine, opioids, phencyclidine, amphetamine, flunitrazepam, phenethylamines, and LSD.

• Applies mandatory minimum sentences and fines only upon second or subsequent convictions, with sentences ranging from 3 to 25 years depending on drug type and quantity.

• Maintains life imprisonment and capital felony penalties for trafficking in quantities of 150+ kilograms of cocaine, 30+ kilograms of opioids, 30+ kilograms of phenethylamines, or 7+ grams of LSD, or when deaths result.

• Specifies tiered penalties for second convictions based on drug quantity thresholds, with sentences from 3 years (lowest quantities) to 15+ calendar years (highest quantities) and fines from $50,000 to $500,000.

• Effective date: July 1, 2014.