HB 2203 -- GOOD TIME CREDIT

SPONSOR: Collins

This bill modifies provisions authorizing offenders committed to the Department of Corrections to receive good time credit. Good time credit is time that once earned, shall be subtracted from the offender's minimum eligibility-for-release date.

This bill provides that 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. The parole board in its discretion shall determine the date of release.

The 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 shall award credit of 60 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.

This bill is similar to HB 372 (2023) and HB 1923 (2022).

Statutes affected:
Introduced (4497H.02): 558.041