HB 1177 Summary

• Creates the Elderly Rehabilitated Inmate Supervision Program authorizing the Parole Commission to approve early release of inmates age 50+ who have served at least 25 consecutive years and are not eligible for parole or serving mandatory minimum sentences.

• Requires released inmates to complete 10 hours of community service per year served, submit to electronic monitoring for at least one year, and provide restitution to victims unless the commission finds reasons to the contrary.

• Establishes victim notification and participation rights, requiring the commission to notify victims within 30 days of petition filing, 30 days before hearings, and 30 days after decisions, and allowing victims to make oral or written statements.

• Authorizes trial court judges to retain jurisdiction over offenders during the first one-third of their sentences to review release orders, with ability to vacate releases found not based on substantial evidence.

• Creates a Restorative Justice Pilot Program in one women's and two men's maximum security prisons, patterned after juvenile justice programs, with priority for eligible elderly inmates.