The bill amends the law regarding parole eligibility for individuals convicted of offenses committed as minors. Specifically, it modifies Arkansas Code 16-93-621(a)(2)(A) to clarify that a minor convicted of first-degree murder is eligible for parole after 25 years of incarceration, while those convicted of capital murder are eligible after 30 years. The new language emphasizes that eligibility for earlier parole is contingent upon existing laws, and it introduces provisions for instances where multiple sentences may be served either consecutively or concurrently.

Additionally, the bill updates Arkansas Code 16-93-621(a)(4) to ensure that the calculation of time periods for parole eligibility includes applicable sentence enhancements and considers whether sentences are served concurrently or consecutively. The changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for parole eligibility for minors, ensuring that the legal framework reflects the complexities of sentencing in cases involving serious offenses committed by individuals under the age of 18.

Statutes affected:
SB 486: 16-93-621(a)