DE HB18

Clarifies that sentences imposed under the habitual criminal statute cannot be less than the minimum sentence required for the underlying felony conviction.

Specifies that the 2016 amendments to the habitual offender law were intended to affect only minimum mandatory sentences, not discretionary sentences where judges already had full authority.

Confirms that the 2016 changes did not reduce any existing minimum mandatory sentences for specific crimes (such as illegal gun possession).

Allows sentencing judges to impose probation after a defendant completes the minimum mandatory sentence required by the habitual criminal statute.

Applies to habitual criminal sentences imposed prior to July 19, 2016, making those inmates eligible to petition for sentence modification after serving the applicable mandatory sentence.