The Republican leader in the Connecticut House of Representatives says lawmakers should not take up Governor Dannel Malloy's latest criminal-justice reform bill when they return to the state Capitol for a special session on the state budget.Representative Themis Klarides said Thursday the General Assembly should wait until next year to debate "such a huge policy change" to the justice system.
The bill is a follow-up to Malloy's Second Chance Society legislation, which passed last year and aims to help nonviolent offenders in the criminal justice system better reintegrate into society. Among other things, it would allow the juvenile court system to have jurisdiction over defendants who are 20-years old or younger.
Klarides says lawmakers should stick to budget bills. Malloy's spokesman says the legislation cuts prison costs.
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