Anne Arundel County lawmakers blamed partisan politics and personal preference for the death of a bill that would have expanded drug-free zones around recreation centers and day care facilities.
“It?s very frustrating,” said Del. Herb McMillan, R-Anne Arundel. “Those parts that had mandatory minimums are getting held up by Sen. [Brian] Frosh, [D-Montgomery], I guess because he doesn?t like mandatory minimums.”
The bill called for the expansion of 1,000-foot drug-free zones around recreation or community centers, day care centers and bus stops. Such restrictions are already in place around schools. The bill calls for a maximum $20,000 fine or 20 years in prison for the first offense, and a maximum $40,000 fine or 40 years for a second offense. The original bill had proposed a minimum five-year prison termfor second offenders.
The statewide bill was amended during debate on the floor of the House of Delegates, and passed by a 136-1 vote. But the proposal has been stalled in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee for most of the last week.
“Down here, this bill has come into a partisan brick wall,” said Del. David Boschert, R-Anne Arundel and a candidate for Anne Arundel county executive, who suggested the bill sponsor?s political affiliation may have affected its fate. “It?s been put up like a Christmas tree and everybody?s trying to decorate it.”
Boschert said he doubted any vote would come before the end of the regular General Assembly session at midnight Monday. He said the delegation could bring the legislation back next year, or could try to work with the next county council and county executive to hammer out a local law to apply to Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.
