HB2045 Summary

• Makes persons serving natural life sentences eligible for parole under new Section 3-3-16 instead of requiring executive clemency for release.

• Establishes parole eligibility for committed persons who are age 55 or older and have served at least 25 consecutive years of incarceration.

• Requires Prisoner Review Board to conduct hearings on petitions and consider eight specific factors including rehabilitation, disciplinary history, criminal history, employment, and housing plans.

• Mandates parole hearing panels consist of at least 8 Board members with majority vote required to grant parole, and requires rehearing no later than 3 years if parole is denied.

• Applies retroactively to all persons with sentences imposed before, on, or after the effective date, counting all consecutive years of prior incarceration toward the 25-year eligibility requirement.