Senate president confident in police, prison reform bills

(AP) – Maryland’s Senate president says he’s confident two separate bills to reform police disciplinary policies and the state’s correctional system will be approved this session.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said Thursday they are two of the session’s most complex bills. He says it’s just taking time to address concerns lawmakers have with the many provisions in them.
    
The measure to boost police accountability ran into a setback Monday night, after concerns were raised by Baltimore lawmakers about ensuring two civilians would have voting powers on a board that review complaints against police.
    
Miller also expressed confidence that a panel of lawmakers will reconcile differences between the House and Senate on another complex bill to reduce prison recidivism and invest more in drug treatment.
    
The session ends Monday at midnight.