SB16-180 Summary

• Creates a specialized program within the Department of Corrections for adults convicted as juveniles for felony offenses committed before age 18, allowing early release in a less secure setting after serving 20-25 years and meeting specified criteria.

• Establishes eligibility requirements including high school diploma/equivalency, participation in prison programs, demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation, acceptance of responsibility, and no prior sexual behavior convictions or active serious mental illness treatment.

• Requires offenders who successfully complete the 3-year minimum program to be presumed to have presented extraordinary mitigating circumstances for parole eligibility, subject to rebuttal by relevant evidence.

• Mandates the State Board of Parole recommend to the Governor within 90 days whether early parole should be granted, with victims having the right to notice and to be heard at any hearing.

• Appropriates $95,504 to the Department of Corrections for fiscal year 2016-17 to implement the program, with an estimated 0.8 FTE requirement.