MS SB2080

Allows juvenile offenders (under age 18 at time of crime) to become eligible for parole after serving 25% of sentences under 30 years, or 10 years for sentences of 30+ years or life imprisonment.

Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury for defendants under 18 convicted of capital murder to determine whether to impose life imprisonment or life without parole.

Jury must unanimously find sufficient aggravating circumstances and that mitigating circumstances (including defendant's age, immaturity, and capacity for rehabilitation) do not outweigh them before imposing life without parole.

Requires State Parole Board to establish tentative parole hearing dates within 90 days of custody and prioritize educational and job training programs for offenders within 24 months of parole eligibility.

Exempts juvenile offenders from parole ineligibility provisions that apply to adult offenders, making them eligible under Section 1 procedures instead.