HB217 Summary

• Establishes "The Scottsboro Boys Act" to create procedures for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles to grant posthumous pardons to deceased felons convicted of Class A or Class B felonies.

• Requires candidates to be deceased, have convictions at least 80 years old, and have circumstances of conviction providing compelling reasons to remedy social injustice associated with racial discrimination.

• Limits petitioners to judges in the judicial circuit where the person was tried and convicted or district attorneys in the county of conviction.

• Requires petitions to include attestations that the petitioner conducted intelligent evaluation of the case and supporting documentation of compelling reasons for the pardon.

• Grants the board sole discretion to issue posthumous pardons upon unanimous affirmative vote and exempts the state from liability for reparations or legal claims resulting from pardons granted under this act.