The proposed bill amends chapter 217 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri by adding a new section, 217.691, which establishes specific provisions for parole hearings for offenders who were adolescents at the time of their offense. Under this new section, offenders who meet certain criteria—including being sentenced to 25 years or more, serving their first commitment, and having served at least 15 years—can petition the board for a parole hearing. The bill outlines the process for reviewing these petitions, including the requirement for an institutional parole officer (IPO) to investigate the offender's rehabilitation efforts and provide a report to the board. Additionally, the bill mandates that victims or their families receive written notification about the parole hearing, including their rights to be present and to submit statements. It also stipulates that offenders must undergo a psychological evaluation and that the board must consider the offender's mental health and maturity during the hearing. If parole is denied, the board is required to provide a written explanation and outline the timeline for future parole eligibility. The bill emphasizes the importance of rehabilitation and the rights of victims throughout the parole process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced (5934H.01): 217.691