S.F. No. 3209 Summary

• Establishes a program allowing inmates under Minnesota Department of Corrections custody to petition for early release if they no longer pose a public safety risk.

• Inmates become eligible after serving 60 percent of their sentence (or 18 years minimum for life sentences), except those serving life without possibility of release are ineligible.

• Release petitions are reviewed by panels of three retired or sitting district/appellate judges designated by the chief justice; the commissioner of corrections may veto petitions without stating reason.

• Release panels must consider public safety, inmate readiness, program participation, crime severity, and victim impact; written notice and statements from prosecutors, law enforcement, victims, and other interested parties must be considered.

• Appropriates funding in fiscal year 2017 from the general fund to compensate retired judges, cover panel expenses, and fund increased supervised release costs and county grants.