HB 5079 Summary

• Creates new parole eligibility pathway under section 35(10) for certain prisoners, with multiple provisions throughout the bill referring to this new parole mechanism that is not defined in the provided text.

• Amends parole eligibility requirements for prisoners convicted of serious crimes listed in section 33b by specifying they cannot be paroled except under section 35(10) or through other statutory exceptions, and are ineligible for special parole.

• Modifies section 34 to establish that prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment (except those with mandatory life sentences) may become eligible for parole after serving 10-20 calendar years depending on crime date and conviction type, subject to public hearings and sentencing judge approval.

• Adds specific parole eligibility provisions for drug-related offenses under public health code sections 7401 and 7402, with varying eligibility periods based on offense severity and whether the prisoner has other serious crime convictions.

• Creates mandatory parole review procedures including initial interviews at 10 years of sentence, subsequent file reviews every 5 years, public hearing requirements, and provisions allowing prosecutors and crime victims to appeal parole grants to circuit court.