MS SB2463

Allows offenders under age 18 when committing felonies 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 proceeding before a jury for defendants under 18 convicted of capital murder to determine whether they receive life imprisonment or life without parole eligibility.

Mandates jury must unanimously find sufficient aggravating circumstances exist and insufficient mitigating circumstances (including age, immaturity, and rehabilitation potential) outweigh aggravation to impose life without parole.

Establishes specific aggravating circumstances (10 categories including heinous crimes and crimes during felonies) and mitigating circumstances (10 categories including youth-related factors) for jury consideration in capital murder cases.

State Parole Board must schedule tentative parole hearing within 90 days of custody and set actual hearing within 30 days of parole eligibility date; effective July 1, 2020.