State Senate Looks to Increase Punishment for Meth-Related Crimes

A bill passed in the New York state Senate on Monday would call for stiffer penalties for meth-related crimes. The bill was introduced by Senator Tom O’Mara, who represents Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Yates, and parts of Tompkins County. The bill passed by a vote of 55 to 4. If it were to become a law, criminal penalties would be increased for possessing meth-making materials and making meth itself. The law would call for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison when criminals are convicted of operating meth labs for the second time in five years. Currently the maximum sentence for that offense is nine years. The bill will now go to the Assembly for a vote.