separate parole rules for inmates under 18 at the offense

The text as introduced · 634 words

89R16181 MCF-F

By: Jones of Harris
H.B. No. 5525

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to parole guidelines and procedures for inmates convicted

of an offense committed when younger than 18 years of age.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Youth Parole Reform

Act.

SECTION 2. Subchapter E, Chapter 508, Government Code, is

amended by adding Section 508.1441 to read as follows:

Sec. 508.1441. PAROLE GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR INMATE

WHO COMMITTED OFFENSE BEFORE AGE OF 18; REPORT. (a) The board, in

consultation with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, shall

develop and implement:

(1) a version of the parole guidelines adopted under

Section 508.144 that:

(A) is specifically designed for an inmate who

was younger than 18 years of age at the time the offense for which

the inmate is eligible for release on parole was committed; and

(B) prioritizes rehabilitation, educational

attainment, mental health treatment, and reintegration support;

and

(2) specific procedures to be used during the

consideration for release on parole of an inmate described by

Subdivision (1)(A).

(b) The procedures developed under Subsection (a)(2) must:

(1) require a parole panel considering the release on

parole of an inmate described by Subsection (a)(1)(A) to use the

parole guidelines developed under Subsection (a)(1);

(2) prohibit the parole panel from applying the parole

guidelines adopted under Section 508.144;

(3) require the parole panel to consider the

following:

(A) the inmate's age at the time the offense for

which the inmate is eligible for release on parole was committed;

(B) the inmate's demonstrated rehabilitation

progress;

(C) the inmate's educational and vocational

achievements;

(D) the inmate's psychological and behavioral

evaluations; and

(E) input from relevant professionals, family

members, and victims, if appropriate; and

(4) include a comprehensive reintegration plan for the

inmate.

(c) The board shall annually submit to the governor,

lieutenant governor, and members of the legislature a report that

includes:

(1) the following information with respect to inmates

described by Subsection (a)(1)(A) who are considered for release on

parole under the parole guidelines and procedures developed under

this section:

(A) the number of inmates considered and the

number released;

(B) the success rate of reintegration of inmates

released; and

(C) the recidivism rate of inmates released; and

(2) recommendations for improving the parole

guidelines and procedures developed under this section.

(d) The board shall publish the report described by

Subsection (c) on the board's Internet website.

SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department shall develop

and provide training to members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles

and parole commissioners, as defined by Section 508.001, Government

Code, on best practices for parole consideration for inmates

described by Section 508.1441(a)(1)(A), Government Code, as added

by this Act.

SECTION 4. (a) Not later than the 180th day after the

effective date of this Act, the Board of Pardons and Paroles shall

develop and implement the parole guidelines and procedures required

under Section 508.1441, Government Code, as added by this Act.

(b) As soon as practicable after the date the Board of

Pardons and Paroles implements the parole guidelines and procedures

under Subsection (a) of this section, the board shall reconsider

for release on parole any inmate described by Section

508.1441(a)(1)(A), Government Code, as added by this Act, who was

previously denied release on parole before the implementation of

the parole guidelines and procedures under Subsection (a) of this

section.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.