The bill would amend the Government Code as it relates to parole reconsideration for inmates convicted of aggravated sexual assault and capital felonies in which the sentence was imposed was life imprisonment. Under the provisions of the bill, the Board of Pardons and Paroles (BPP) could delay reconsidering the release of these offenders to parole for up to ten years after the date of the previous denial.  Under current law the BPP can delay reconsidering an offender's release for up to five years after the date of their previous denial. 

By allowing the BPP to delay reconsideration of certain offenders for release to parole, the bill's provisions could increase their length of incarceration. Increasing the length of incarceration for any criminal offense is expected to increase demands on state correctional agency resources. However, the bill's provisions do not affect parole eligibility criteria and only provide the BPP the option to delay reconsideration.  It is assumed that these provisions would not have a significant impact on length of stay and, as a result, would not significantly impact state correctional agencies' workload and programs.

Aggravated sexual assault is a punishable as a first degree felony.  A first-degree felony is punishable by confinement in prison for life or a term from 5 to 99 years and, in addition to confinement, an optional fine not to exceed $10,000.  In fiscal year 2012, there were 3,113 arrests; 284 community supervision placements; and 968 admissions to prison for the offense of aggravated sexual assault.  In fiscal year 2012, there were 298 arrests; three community supervision placements; and 134 admissions to prison for capital felonies.