S.B. 222                                                  VETOES

accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate Bill
222.

Sincerely,

Parris N. Glendening

Governor

Senate Bill No. 222

AN ACT concerning

Maryland Commission on Criminal Sentencing Reform Policy

FOR the purpose of creating a Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission; Maryland
Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy; providing for the appointment or
designation of members of the Commission; establishing that members of the
Commission may not receive a salary but shall be reimbursed for certain expenses;
designating staff for the Commission; requiring the Commission to hold its first
meeting by a certain date; requiring the Commission to perform certain duties;
granting the Commission certain powers; requiring the Commission to make certain
recommendations establishing certain procedures, powers, and duties; establishing the
purposes and objectives of the Commission; requiring the Commission to develop a
correctional population simulation model for certain purposes; requiring the
Commission to submit a certain report; making this Act subject to a certain contingency,
requiring the Commission to submit certain draft legislation to the General
Assembly by a certain date; providing for the termination of the Commission;
defining certain terms; establishing certain policy goals and objectives; providing for
the application of the established policies; making this Act contingent on the
inclusion of certain funds in the Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 1997; and generally
relating to the Maryland Commission on Criminal Sentencing Reform Policy.

BY adding to

Article 41 - Governor - Executive and Administrative Departments

Section 18-310

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1993 Replacement Volume and 1995 Supplement)

Preamble

WHEREAS, The effective administration of justice and protection of public

safety require a sentencing and correctional process that has credibility with the general
public and with criminal offenders; and

WHEREAS, The credibility and effectiveness of the current sentencing and
correctional process is diminished by common beliefs that prisoners do not serve an
adequate portion of their sentences, that traditional probation and parole supervision are
not meaningful punishments, and that there is substantial unwarranted disparity in
sentences for similar crimes; and

- 3940 -