Signed by Governor John Bel Edwards

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands parole eligibility for certain juvenile offenders.

Highlights:

• Requires any person serving a term of imprisonment that results in a period of incarceration of 25 years or more and who was under the age of 18 at the time of the commission of the offense to be eligible for parole consideration if the following conditions have been met (Sec. 1): 

• The offender has served at least 25 years of the sentence imposed;

• The offender has not committed any major disciplinary offense in the 12 consecutive months prior to the parole hearing date;

• The offender has completed the mandatory minimum of 100 hours of prerelease programming;

• The offender has completed substance abuse treatment as applicable;

• The offender has obtained a GED certification, or has completed a literacy program, adult basic education program, or job skills training program;

• The offender has obtained a low-risk level designation; and 

• The offender has completed a reentry program.

• Requires the committee on parole to consider the impact that the lack of brain development in adolescence has on culpability and behavior, the juvenile offender’s unique ability to mature and grow, and any other relevant evidence pertaining to the offender, and render specific findings of fact in support of its decision (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text