Nevada is joining the ranks of states seeking criminal justice reform with several bills in this legislative session.
Lawmakers are now eyeing changes for felons that include the right to vote. Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson said moves like this are bipartisan since high incarceration rates are expensive and don’t deter repeat offenders.
Senate Bill 181 would restore the right to vote and serve on civil court jury for some felons. It was heard Wednesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Assembly Bill 259 would set out how courts would decide petitions to have certain marijuana convictions vacated. That bill passed Tuesday with a 12-9 vote. Senator Tick Segerblom chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and also sponsored a bill to help inmates with pre-release paperwork and obtaining identification.