The Youth Parole Reform Act aims to establish new parole guidelines and procedures specifically for inmates who committed offenses before the age of 18. The bill introduces Section 508.1441 to the Government Code, which mandates the Board of Pardons and Paroles, in consultation with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, to develop a version of the existing parole guidelines that prioritizes rehabilitation, educational attainment, mental health treatment, and reintegration support for these young offenders. Additionally, the bill outlines specific procedures for the parole panel to follow when considering the release of such inmates, including the requirement to focus on the inmate's age at the time of the offense, their rehabilitation progress, and input from relevant professionals and family members.

Furthermore, the bill requires the Board to submit an annual report to state officials detailing the number of inmates considered for parole, their success rates upon release, and recommendations for improving the guidelines. It also mandates training for parole board members on best practices for considering parole for these young offenders. The Board is tasked with implementing these new guidelines within 180 days of the bill's effective date and must reconsider any previously denied inmates under the new procedures. The Act will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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