AN ACT ENTITLED THE "MISSISSIPPI EARNED PAROLE ELIGIBILITY ACT"; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PRESCRIBE CONDITIONS FOR PAROLE ELIGIBILITY AND TO PROVIDE LIMITATIONS ON INMATE ELIGIBILITY TO PETITION THE SENTENCING COURT FOR PAROLE ELIGIBILITY IF THE INMATE IS SERVING A SENTENCE FOR A CRIME OF VIOLENCE OR NONVIOLENCE; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-3.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR INMATE CASE PLANNING AND TO PRESCRIBE DATES FOR THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO COMPLETE CASE PLANS FOR PAROLE-ELIGIBLE INMATES TO ENSURE THAT THE PLAN IS ACHIEVABLE; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-3.2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM TIME THAT OFFENDERS CONVICTED OF A CRIME OF VIOLENCE MUST SERVE BEFORE RELEASE AND A MINIMUM PERCENTAGE OF OTHER SENTENCES THAT OTHER OFFENDERS MUST SERVE BEFORE RELEASE; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE PROHIBITION AGAINST COMPENSATION OR PER DIEM OF THE MISSISSIPPI PAROLE BOARD, ITS REQUIREMENTS, AND THE MINIMUM VOTE REQUIRED TO GRANT PAROLE TO AN INMATE CONVICTED OF CAPITAL MURDER OR SEX OFFENSE; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE VICTIM OR DESIGNATED FAMILY MEMBER SHALL BE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD BY THE PAROLE BOARD PRIOR TO A PAROLE DECISION; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-18, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE CERTAIN PAROLE HEARINGS FOR SEX OFFENDERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 47-7-3, 47-7-3.1, 47-7-3.2, 47-7-5, 47-7-13, 47-7-15, 47-7-17, 47-7-18
Committee Substitute: 47-7-3, 47-7-3.1, 47-7-3.2, 47-7-5, 47-7-13, 47-7-15, 47-7-17, 47-7-18
As Passed by the Senate: 47-7-3, 47-7-3.1, 47-7-3.2, 47-7-5, 47-7-13, 47-7-15, 47-7-17, 47-7-18
Approved by the Governor: 47-7-3, 47-7-3.1, 47-7-3.2, 47-7-5, 47-7-15, 47-7-17, 47-7-18