General Assembly Raised Bill No. 503 aims to reform the sentencing and parole eligibility for individuals who committed offenses while under the age of twenty-six. The bill repeals Section 54-125a and introduces new provisions that allow individuals convicted of crimes after October 1, 1990, to be eligible for parole after serving half of their sentence, contingent upon a determination by the Board of Pardons and Paroles that the inmate poses a low risk of reoffending and that their release aligns with societal welfare. The bill also specifies that individuals convicted of serious offenses, such as capital felonies and aggravated sexual assault, must serve at least eighty-five percent of their sentence before being considered for parole. Additionally, it mandates that the Board adopt regulations to ensure compliance and conduct thorough hearings for parole eligibility, allowing input from stakeholders.

The legislation further modifies the criteria for parole eligibility by raising the age limit from twenty-one to twenty-six and removing the previous requirement that crimes must have been committed on or before October 1, 2005. It establishes that individuals may be eligible for parole after serving either sixty percent of their sentence or twelve years, whichever is greater, and includes provisions for those with longer sentences. The bill emphasizes the need for the Board of Pardons and Paroles to utilize validated risk assessment tools and document their decisions, while also ensuring that presentence investigations cannot be waived for defendants under twenty-six. Moreover, it requires courts to consider developmental factors when sentencing young adults for serious felonies, highlighting the importance of scientific evidence regarding brain development.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 54-125a, 54-91g
JUD Joint Favorable: 54-125a, 54-91g
File No. 593: 54-125a, 54-91g
APP Joint Favorable: 54-125a, 54-91g