MS HB116

Creates parole eligibility for juvenile offenders who committed their crimes under age 18, allowing parole consideration after serving 20 years regardless of the offense type, if not otherwise eligible for parole at an earlier date

Raises the age threshold defining "adult" from 17 to 18 years old, and correspondingly defines "juvenile," "minor," or "youthful" as persons under 18 years of age under Mississippi's probation and parole law

Requires all juvenile offenders seeking parole under this new provision to appear before the State Parole Board for a hearing prior to release

Removes "juvenile" from the list of topics the Corrections and Criminal Justice Oversight Task Force must address in its annual parole reform recommendations to the Governor and Legislature

Takes effect July 1, 2026, with Section 47-7-3 set to repeal on July 1, 2027