SPONSOR: Collins
This bill modifies provisions authorizing certain offenders committed to the Department of Corrections to receive good time credit. Good time credit is time that, once earned, must be subtracted from the offender's minimum eligibility-for-release date.
The bill provides that certain offenders must receive good time credit for completion of eligible programs. However, the accumulation of good time credit does not require that the offender be released; the parole board retains discretion to determine the date of release.
This bill provides that any major conduct violation or the accumulation of minor conduct violations exceeding six in one year will result in the loss of all credit earned. No offender who has been sentenced to death or life without probation or parole is eligible for good time credit.
The Department must award credit between five and 360 days for programs and activities to any qualifying offender who successfully:
(1) Receives a high school diploma or equivalent, college diploma, or a vocational training certificate;
(2) Completes an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, excluding those treatment programs ordered by either the court or parole board;
(3) Completes 1,000 hours of restorative justice; or
(4) Completes other programs provided under the Department's policy.
Eligible offenders can submit a petition between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2027, to receive credit for qualifying programs or activities completed between January 1, 2010, and August 28, 2026.
This bill is similar to HB 728 (2025).
Statutes affected: