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Senate panel hears bill to require pre‑sentence investigations in felony cases
Summary
Sen. Laura Smith introduced SB 84 to require pre‑sentence investigation reports for felony cases unless a recent PSI exists; supporters say PSIs inform sentencing, parole and prison classification while state corrections officials warn the change would increase staff workload.
Sen. Laura Smith, the sponsor, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that Senate Bill 84 would require a pre‑sentence investigation (PSI) in felony cases unless the defendant had a PSI within the previous 18 months. The bill also allows a court to require that a PSI include a physical and mental examination, a substance use disorder assessment, or both.
The bill matters, supporters said, because PSIs supply judges and other justice‑system decision makers with background information used not only at sentencing but later by prisons, parole boards and supervising officers. "We should not . . . allow the judiciary or defense counsel or prosecutors to…
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