Measure to Reduce Recidivism Passes OK Senate:  House Bill 2179, a measure that seeks to reduce criminal recidivism by giving nonviolent offenders greater access to the workforce, has passed the Oklahoma Senate.  Edmond Sun reports that the bill would allow nonviolent offenders on probation to obtain commercial driver's licenses, rather than just a provisional license, which would make them more employable.  Offenders not on probation or those with suspended or revoked licenses resulting from a DUI would not be eligible to receive a CDL.

CA Bill On Date Rape Drugs Clears First Committee:  Assembly Bill 46, which would restore the ability to charge possession of date rape drugs as a felony, cleared the Assembly Public Safety Committee on a bipartisan vote yesterday.  Last November, California voters passed Proposition 47, which converted the possession of drugs, including date rape drugs, from a felony to a misdemeanor.  The Santa Clarita Valley Signal reports that the bill would create a new felony; possession of date rape drugs with intent to commit sexual assault, rather than directly converting possession to a felony.  This avoids the requirement that amendments to an initiative go before the voters.  

Over Half Million SSNs Issued To Illegal Immigrants:  More than a half-million new social security numbers have been issued by the Obama Administration to illegal immigrants granted amnesty under the Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals program.  Caroline May of Breitbart reports that DHS has approved more than 787,068 DACA applications as of December 31.  The issuance of these social security numbers means that thousands of illegal immigrants will be eligible for tax benefits and refunds.

Colorado Lawmakers Extend DNA Collection Serious Misdemeanors:  A new Colorado bill, HB 1312, would expand the state's ability to collect DNA, requiring that a sample be collected from adults convicted of one of the eight misdemeanors deemed serious.  Lance Hernandez of the Denver Channel reports that the measure will be a major help to law enforcement because DNA collection is cost effective, solves cold cases, and gets criminals off the streets.  However, right on cue, the ACLU voiced their opposition to the bill, citing it as an "erosion of our civil liberties."

Missouri Executes Third Murderer This Year:  The state of Missouri executed condemned murderer Andre Cole Tuesday for the 1998 stabbing murder of a friend of his ex-wife, who he also attempted to kill.   An Associated Press story reports that when Cole was behind on his child support payments he told co-workers that "before I give her another dime, I'll kill her."  When overdue support payments were deducted from his paycheck, Cole went to her home to carry out his promise.  The execution, which utilized pentobarbital,  was uneventful and took nine minutes.