Signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits life sentences for juvenile offenders.

Highlights:

• Requires that anytime a youthful offender spends in a juvenile detention facility prior to trial be counted toward completion of their sentence (Sec. 1). 

• Requires that when a youthful offender is convicted as an adult the court must sentence based on the Criminal Sentencing Act (Sec. 1).  

• Requires that when a youthful offender is convicted as an adult the court does not sentence them to a life sentence without the possibility of release or parole (Sec. 1).  

• Authorizes the court to sentence the defendant to less then, but not exceeding the mandatory term for an adult (Sec. 1).  

• Requires adult probation services prepare a presentence report prior to the sentencing of a youthful offender convicted of first-degree murder and submit it to the court and the parties 5 days prior to the sentencing hearing (Sec. 1).  

• Requires that a youthful offender be considered for parole once they have served (Sec 3.): 

• 25 years of their sentence if they are convicted of multiple first-degree murder;

• 20 years of their sentence if they are convicted of first-degree murder; or 

• 15 years of their sentence if they are convicted of anything else. 

• Requires that a parole hearing be held even if the offender is serving concurrent or consecutive sentences for multiple crimes (Sec. 3). 

• Requires that if bail gets denied the offender has a bail hearing every 5 years thereafter (Sec 3). 

• Requires that the Parole Board conduct a yearly review of all offenders currently serving an adult sentence for an offense committed as a child to ensure all eligible for parole hearings are getting them and that is being done in a timely manner (Sec. 3). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits life sentences for juvenile offenders.

Highlights:

• Requires that anytime a youthful offender spends in a juvenile detention facility prior to trial be counted toward completion of their sentence (Sec. 1). 

• Requires that when a youthful offender is convicted as an adult the court must sentence based on the Criminal Sentencing Act (Sec. 1).  

• Requires that when a youthful offender is convicted as an adult the court does not sentence them to a life sentence without the possibility of release or parole (Sec. 1).  

• Authorizes the court to sentence the defendant to less then, but not exceeding the mandatory term for an adult (Sec. 1).  

• Requires adult probation services prepare a presentence report prior to the sentencing of a youthful offender convicted of first-degree murder and submit it to the court and the parties 5 days prior to the sentencing hearing (Sec. 1).  

• Requires that a youthful offender be considered for parole once they have served (Sec 3.): 

• 25 years of their sentence if they are convicted of multiple first-degree murder;

• 20 years of their sentence if they are convicted of first-degree murder; or 

• 15 years of their sentence if they are convicted of anything else. 

• Requires that a parole hearing be held even if the offender is serving concurrent or consecutive sentences for multiple crimes (Sec. 3). 

• Requires that if bail gets denied the offender has a bail hearing every 5 years thereafter (Sec 3). 

• Requires that the Parole Board conduct a yearly review of all offenders currently serving an adult sentence for an offense committed as a child to ensure all eligible for parole hearings are getting them and that is being done in a timely manner (Sec. 3). 

Full Bill Text