CS/HB 963 Summary

• Adds mandatory minimum 3-year imprisonment for selling, manufacturing, or delivering controlled substances in a dwelling.

• Creates new "trafficking in synthetic drugs" offense for 250+ grams of specified synthetic controlled substances with tiered mandatory minimums: 3 years (250-500g), 7 years (500g-1kg), 15 years (1-30kg), and 25 years (30kg+), plus corresponding fines ($25,000-$750,000).

• Establishes capital felony penalties for synthetic drug trafficking involving 30+ kilograms with circumstances showing intent to kill, or for importing 60+ kilograms with knowledge death would result.

• Adds synthetic drug trafficking offenses to the Criminal Punishment Code's offense severity ranking chart at various felony levels based on quantity thresholds.

• Takes effect October 1, 2015.