MS HB515

Allows nonviolent offenders incarcerated by the Department of Corrections to receive a 10% sentence reduction for each subject area passed on the twelfth grade level of the Mississippi end-of-course subject area testing program, effective July 1, 2018.

Defines "nonviolent offender" as any individual who has committed a felony other than a crime of violence as defined under Section 97-3-2.

Exempts nonviolent offenders who pass end-of-course exams from the 15% limitation on earned-time allowances under Section 47-5-138, allowing them to earn additional sentence reductions.

Amends Sections 47-5-138, 47-5-142, and 47-7-3.2 to accommodate the new sentence reduction program while maintaining minimum sentence requirements for violent crimes (50%) and other offenses (25%) imposed after July 1, 2014.

Takes effect July 1, 2018.