HB580 Summary

• Adds requirement that Board of Pardons and Paroles conduct mandatory parole hearings for prisoners age 55 or older who have served at least 15 years of their sentence.

• Board must release elderly prisoners if it determines reasonable probability they will live at liberty without violating law and release is not incompatible with public welfare, even if they have not reached their initial parole consideration date.

• If parole is denied for elderly prisoners, board must provide written reasons within two weeks and set reconsideration date within 24 months.

• Makes technical and nonsubstantive revisions to update parole consideration code language to current statutory style.

• Effective date: first day of third month following passage and approval by Governor.