SB 118 Summary

• Amends parole hearing procedures for violent crime offenders by requiring two-stage hearings: an initial stage where the Board reviews staff reports and votes on consideration, followed by a subsequent stage where offenders, prosecutors, law enforcement, and victims present arguments before a public vote.

• Mandates that when pardon applications include audio and video recordings of offenders or supporters, corresponding recordings of District Attorneys, law enforcement, and victims must also be forwarded to the Governor; if any recordings cannot be forwarded, none shall be sent.

• Requires the Pardon and Parole Board to provide the Governor with all relevant documentation within 30 days of approving a pardon application, with the Governor having 90 days to grant or deny the application.

• Maintains existing parole eligibility criteria based on crime commission date (prior to July 1, 1998, or on or after), sentence type, and criminal history, with life imprisonment without parole remaining ineligible.

• Becomes effective November 1, 2015.