Key Bill In Maryland Aims For Changes In Corrections System

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A major bill in Maryland's legislative session to reduce the state's incarcerated population and control corrections spending is scheduled for a hearing.

The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will hear testimony about the measure on Wednesday.

A panel that examined the state's correctional system last year submitted about 20 recommendations that have largely been incorporated into the measure.

The panel projected the recommendations could save the state about $247 million over the next decade.

The measure aims to restructure penalties for drug possession and direct more offenders into treatment.

The bill is based on a data-driven examination of Maryland's correctional system that was conducted with technical assistance from the Pew Charitable Trusts.

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