HB0531 Summary

• Creates parole review eligibility for persons under age 21 at time of offense (except first-degree murder and predatory criminal sexual assault), allowing review after serving 10+ years or 20+ years for aggravated criminal sexual assault.

• Persons under 21 convicted of first-degree murder become eligible for parole review after serving 20+ years, with exceptions for natural life sentences and certain aggravated murder cases.

• Establishes comprehensive parole review procedures including appointed counsel for indigent eligible persons, victim notification requirements, and psychological evaluations considering adolescent brain development and diminished culpability of youth.

• Allows Prisoner Review Board to grant parole unless determining substantial risk of non-compliance, release would deprecate offense seriousness, or release would adversely affect institutional discipline; denied persons eligible for second and third reviews.

• Modifies sentencing sections for first-degree murder, Class X, and Class 1 felonies to make sentences subject to the new youthful offender parole review provisions in Section 5-4.5-110.