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Lawmakers, Community Leaders Push Criminal Justice Overhaul

BOSTON (AP) — Beacon Hill lawmakers and community leaders are planning to push this week for legislation designed to overhaul the state's criminal justice system.

Supporters plan a news conference at the Statehouse on Tuesday on a bill that would repeal mandatory minimum drug sentences and reduce certain low-level felonies — such as shoplifting, petty theft, or more minor drug charges — to misdemeanors.

It would also eliminate the law requiring the Registry of Motor Vehicles to confiscate the license of a person convicted of any drug offense.

The bill would also take the money saved from the changes to create a trust fund designed to pay for job training and pre-apprenticeship programs for youth, veterans, victims of violence, and other people with significant barriers to employment.

The fund would also back initiatives to discourage teens from dropping out of school.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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