Legislature kills mandatory minimum drug sentences

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The North Dakota Legislature has removed mandatory minimum sentences for repeat non-violent drug offenses.

The Senate endorsed the House bill 44-1 on Thursday. It now goes to Gov. Doug Burgum for his signature.

The bill allows judges to depart from the mandatory sentence guidelines and decide their own punishment.

Longtime North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has promoted the idea of giving judges an escape hatch from mandatory minimum sentences.