CT SB00978

Expands parole eligibility for individuals convicted of crimes committed before age 21, changing the age threshold from under 18 to under 21 years old, effective October 1, 2021.

Establishes parole eligibility based on sentence length: those serving 50 years or less are eligible after serving 60% of sentence or 12 years (whichever is greater); those serving more than 50 years are eligible after serving 30 years.

Requires the Board of Pardons and Paroles to hold a suitability hearing at least 12 months after notification, with mandatory notification to the Chief Public Defender, state's attorney, victim services offices, and victim advocates.

Mandates the board use validated risk assessment tools and consider factors including the person's rehabilitation, remorse, maturity, correctional record, and efforts to overcome substance abuse or trauma since committing the crime.

Board decisions are final with no appeal allowed; if parole is denied, the board may schedule a new hearing no earlier than two years later.