Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes parole eligibility for juveniles sentenced to life imprisonment.

Highlights:

• Authorizes an individual who received a sentence of life imprisonment for a conviction of first or second degree murder as a juvenile to be eligible for parole if certain conditions are met, including, but not limited to, the following conditions (Sec. 1):
• The individual has served 35 years of the sentence;  
• The individual has obtained a low-risk level designation;
• The individual has not committed any major disciplinary offenses in the year prior to the parole hearing date; and
• The individual has obtained a GED certification or has completed a literacy program, adult basic education program, or job skills training program.

• Specifies that the individual must have been under the age of 18 at the time of the offense and must have been convicted prior to June 25, 2012 (Sec. 1).

• Requires an individual with expertise in adolescent brain development to provide an evaluation of the offender to the parole review panel (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text