Connecticut lawmakers passed two bills on Monday aimed at reforming the state's criminal justice system.
The General Assembly on Monday passed Governor Dannel Malloy's Second Chance Society legislation in an effort to reduce crime and help non-violent offenders reintegrate into society after prison.
The legislation reclassifies drug possession as a misdemeanor. It passed the House 98 to 46, and the Senate 23 to 13.
Malloy applauded the passage of the legislation. "The cycle our system currently encourages – one of permanent punishment – hurts too many families and communities," he said in a statement. "?When we should have been focusing on permanent reform, we focused on permanent punishment. For too long, we built modern jails instead of modern schools. Because this bill passed, Connecticut has taken a giant step into the future."
The bill would also provide offenders with the opportunity to be evaluated for drug dependency in an effort to help people before they become enmeshed in the criminal justice system. Malloy said the legislation allows law enforcement to focus on putting serious, violent criminals behind bars.
Another bill creating grants for local police departments to purchase body cameras cleared both chambers. The bill requires the state police and state university police to wear them.
Lawmakers also passed budget-related bills during Monday's special legislative session.
This report includes information from The Associated Press.