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House advances homeless resource-center zone bill after heated debate over felony enhancement
Summary
House passed first substitute to HB 365, narrowing an earlier draft to target drug distribution near homeless resource centers. Floor debate focused on whether raising distribution to a first-degree felony in these zones is appropriate given jail bed capacity and whether it would criminalize addiction; the bill passed 42-30 and will go to the Senate.
Representative Briscoe introduced first substitute House Bill 365 to add homeless resource centers to locations where distribution of controlled substances can receive an enhanced penalty. Briscoe described the narrow scope of his amendment: it limits enhanced penalties to one subsection of unlawful acts (distribution) under Utah Code § 58-37a-5 and does not criminalize possession or paraphernalia alone.
Briscoe told members that Salt Lake City, Midvale City and law enforcement…
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