A BILL PASSED BY THE GEORGIA LEGISLATURE LAST WEEK WILL START A NEW STUDY ON HOW NON-VIOLENT DRUG OFFENDERS SHOULD BE SENTENCED.
   

SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE JAY NEAL OF LAFAYETTE, HOUSE BILL 265 SETS UP A COUNCIL TO CONDUCT A YEAR-LONG STUDY ON HOW TO FIX THE OVERCROWDED PRISON SYSTEM… AND ESTABLISH "DRUG COURTS" FOR NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS.
   

NEAL SAID "THIS COULD WELL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT LEGISLATION I’VE EVER BEEN INVOLVED IN."  GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL SUPPORTS THE DRUG OFFENDER STUDY… AND IS LIKELY TO SIGN THE LEGISLATION.
   

 NEAL WON THE "COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATIVE AWARD" FROM AN ATLANTA MAGAZINE, FOR HIS WORK ON THE BILL.