The proposed bill aims to amend existing laws regarding the early release of individuals convicted of crimes committed before their 18th birthday. It allows these individuals to petition the indeterminate sentence review board for early release after reaching the age of 24, provided they meet certain conditions. Notably, the bill removes the previous requirement of serving a minimum of 20 years of confinement for those not convicted of three or more murder offenses. Instead, it introduces new criteria, including that the individual must not have committed any crimes in the 12 months prior to filing the petition and must not have committed any serious infractions during that time. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of rehabilitation and provides for rental assistance to successful petitioners to aid their reintegration into society.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a cap of 35 petitions per year that can be acted upon by the department of corrections or the board, prioritizing those under 25 in the custody of the department of children, youth, and families. It also mandates that the department conduct assessments to prepare offenders for community reintegration and allows for victim input during hearings. The act is set to expire on July 1, 2035, and is officially titled the "Youth Hope Act."

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 9.94A.730
Substitute Bill: 9.94A.730
Second Substitute: 9.94A.730