CT SB00796

Creates parole eligibility for individuals convicted of crimes committed before age 18 with sentences over 10 years, allowing parole after serving 60% of sentence or 12 years (whichever is greater) for sentences of 50 years or less, or after 30 years for sentences exceeding 50 years.

Requires courts sentencing children as adults for Class A or B felonies to consider the defendant's age, adolescent development characteristics, and scientific evidence about brain development differences between children and adults.

Mandates presentence investigations for children convicted of Class A or B felonies and eliminates the option to waive such investigations.

Removes eligibility for death penalty for individuals under 18 at time of offense and adds age 18 requirement to capital murder, murder with special circumstances, and arson murder statutes.

Directs the Connecticut Sentencing Commission to study how crime victims can be notified of parole eligibility laws and report recommendations to the legislature by February 1, 2016.