The bill would amend the Government Code as it relates to the eligibility for consideration for release onto parole of certain individuals convicted of certain offenses committed when younger than 18 years of age. Under the provisions of the bill, these individuals would be eligible for consideration for release onto parole supervision when the actual time served on a sentence equals one-half of the sentence or 20 years, whichever is less, with a minimum term of confinement of four years. The bill would also amend the Government Code to add additional parole considerations for youth offenders and permit the Board of Pardons and Paroles to employ certain mental health professionals to assist with these considerations. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage by two-thirds majority, or on September 1, 2021 and apply to individuals confined in state correctional institutions on or after the effective date, regardless of whether the offense for which they are confined occurred before, on, or after the effective date of the Act.
Under existing statute, most of these individuals are eligible for parole consideration when the actual time served on a sentence equals one-half of the sentence or 30 years, whichever is less, with a minimum term of confinement of two years. Decreasing the amount of time an individual must serve before becoming eligible for parole consideration is expected to result in reduced demands on the correctional resources of the State due to an opportunity for shorter terms of confinement within state correctional institutions. This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill addressing felony sanctions would not result in a significant impact on the demand for state correctional resources.
The Texas Juvenile Justice Department and Board of Pardons and Paroles indicate the modifications outlined in the bill's provisions will not result in a significant fiscal impact.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.