This bill aims to enhance public safety by imposing stricter sentencing guidelines for violent offenders who use firearms. It introduces an aggravated durational departure for certain violent offenders, mandating that judges impose longer sentences when the offender has prior convictions for violent crimes and used a firearm during the commission of the current offense. Specifically, if an offender has two or more prior violent crime convictions and used a firearm in at least two of those offenses, the judge is required to impose a maximum sentence. Additionally, the bill stipulates that sentences for these offenders must be served consecutively to any existing sentences, and they are ineligible for probation, parole, or work release until they have served their full term.

The bill also amends existing statutes to clarify the ineligibility for earned incentive release credit for offenders sentenced under the new provisions. It includes a new subdivision that outlines the requirement for consecutive sentencing and reinforces the ineligibility for early release options. The effective date for these changes is set for the day following final enactment, applying to crimes committed on or after that date. Overall, the legislation seeks to deter violent crime and enhance accountability for offenders who pose a danger to public safety.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 244.45, 609.1095