MS SB2703

Allows offenders under age 18 when committing felonies to be eligible for parole after serving 25% of sentences under 30 years, or 10 years for sentences of 30+ years or life imprisonment.

Requires jury or judge to conduct separate sentencing hearing for juveniles convicted of capital murder to determine whether to impose life imprisonment with or without parole eligibility.

Mandates jury make unanimous written findings that defendant actually killed, intended killing, or contemplated lethal force, plus find aggravating circumstances outweigh mitigating circumstances to impose life without parole.

Establishes specific mitigating factors for juveniles including age, immaturity, family background, rehabilitation potential, and whether incompetency associated with youth affected charging or conviction decisions.

Requires State Parole Board to set tentative parole hearing dates within 90 days of custody and prioritize educational/job training programs for offenders within 24 months of parole eligibility; effective July 1, 2016.