Signed by Governor Bobby Jindal

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes parole eligibility for nonviolent offenders.

Highlights:

• Authorizes offenders serving life sentences for offenses other than violent or sexual offenses to be eligible for parole, if the offender has fulfilled certain requirements including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):
• Served at least:
• 25 years of the sentence if the individual was sentenced between the ages of 18 and 25;
• 20 years of the sentence if the individual was sentenced between the ages of 25 and 35;
• 15 years of the sentence if the individual was sentenced between the ages of 35 and 50; or
• 10 years of the sentence if the individual was sentenced between the ages of 50 or older;
• Completed 100 hours of pre-release programming;
• Obtained no disciplinary offenses in the 12 months prior to parole eligibility;
• Earned the equivalent of a high school diploma; and
• Passed a substance abuse test.

Full Bill Text