Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes parole for nonviolent offenders age 65 years or older.

Highlights:

• Authorizes eligibility for parole after serving a mandatory minimum term or one-third of the sentence in the absence of a minimum term as a result of good behavior and specifies that work credits may not reduce a minimum term and may only be awarded upon expiration of the term (Sec. 1).

• Requires adult male inmates sentenced to life imprisonment to become eligible for parole once a minimum term or 25 years have been met (Sec. 1).

• Requires young adult inmates be eligible for parole upon completion of a judicial or statutory mandatory minimum term (Sec. 1).

• Requires inmates sentenced to more than one term to have eligibility for parole determined by court, and that the eligibility date be determined by a representative of the board and passed to the inmate no later than 90 days after the sentence has begun (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the appropriate board to release an inmate serving a sentence to geriatric parole at any time, and exempts those serving a sentence for (Sec. 1):

• A sex offense; or

• First degree fraud misrepresentation, or violation of fiduciary duty in which the victim lost personal monetary savings.

• Authorizes the board to release on geriatric parole under the considerations that age, time served, and diminished physical condition have reduced a geriatric inmate’s risk to public safety. (Sec. 2).

• Requires an inmate to be considered for geriatric parole if one or both of the following circumstances is met (Sec. 2):

• The inmate is 65 or older and has completed one-third of their original sentence; or

• The inmate is 60 or older and had completed one-half of their original sentence.

Full Bill Text