House Bill No. 280 introduces a new provision in the Code of Criminal Procedure, specifically Article 48.07, which allows certain individuals released on parole to petition the court for termination of their sentence. To be eligible, a person must have been on parole for at least ten years without any revocation and must not be required to register as a sex offender. The bill outlines the necessary information that must accompany the motion, including the individual's employment history, educational achievements, volunteer activities, and letters of support. Upon receiving the motion, the court is required to notify the state attorney and may hold a hearing to evaluate the motion based on the provided evidence and testimony.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 508.313(d) of the Government Code to expand the definition of "eligible entity" to include courts considering motions under Article 48.07. The court's authority to terminate a sentence is limited to the date of the order, and no conditions can be imposed on the termination. If granted, the individual is considered to have fully discharged their sentence. The law will take effect on December 1, 2025, contingent upon the approval of a related constitutional amendment by voters.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 508.313 (Government Code 508)