89R25515 MCF-F
 
  By: Jones of Harris H.B. No. 5525
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 5525:
 
  By:  Cook C.S.H.B. No. 5525
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to parole guidelines and procedures for inmates convicted
  of an offense committed when younger than 18 years of age.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  This Act may be cited as the Youth Parole Reform
  Act.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter E, Chapter 508, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 508.1441 and 508.1442 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 508.1441.  PAROLE GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR INMATE
  WHO COMMITTED OFFENSE BEFORE AGE OF 18; REPORT. (a) The board, in
  consultation with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, shall
  develop and implement:
               (1)  a version of the parole guidelines adopted under
  Section 508.144 that:
                     (A)  is specifically designed for an inmate who
  was younger than 18 years of age at the time the offense for which
  the inmate is eligible for release on parole was committed; and
                     (B)  prioritizes rehabilitation, educational
  attainment, mental health treatment, and reintegration support;
  and
               (2)  specific procedures to be used during the
  consideration for release on parole of an inmate described by
  Subdivision (1)(A).
         (b)  The procedures developed under Subsection (a)(2) must:
               (1)  require a parole panel considering the release on
  parole of an inmate described by Subsection (a)(1)(A) to use the
  parole guidelines developed under Subsection (a)(1);
               (2)  prohibit the parole panel from applying the parole
  guidelines adopted under Section 508.144;
               (3)  require the parole panel to consider the
  following:
                     (A)  the inmate's age at the time the offense for
  which the inmate is eligible for release on parole was committed;
                     (B)  the inmate's demonstrated rehabilitation
  progress;
                     (C)  the inmate's educational and vocational
  achievements;
                     (D)  the inmate's psychological and behavioral
  evaluations; and
                     (E)  input from relevant professionals, family
  members, and victims, if appropriate;
               (4)  include a comprehensive reintegration plan for the
  inmate; and
               (5)  include the additional parole considerations
  required under Section 508.1442.
         (c)  The board shall annually submit to the governor,
  lieutenant governor, and members of the legislature a report that
  includes:
               (1)  the following information with respect to inmates
  described by Subsection (a)(1)(A) who are considered for release on
  parole under the parole guidelines and procedures developed under
  this section:
                     (A)  the number of inmates considered and the
  number released;
                     (B)  the success rate of the reintegration of
  inmates released; and
                     (C)  the recidivism rate of inmates released; and
               (2)  recommendations for improving the parole
  guidelines and procedures developed under this section.
         (d)   The board shall to the extent possible:
               (1)  use data compiled by the Legislative Budget Board
  in creating the report required under Subsection (c); and
               (2)  collaborate with the Legislative Budget Board to
  ensure the accuracy and consistency of the data used in the report.
         (e)  The board shall publish the report described by
  Subsection (c) on the board's Internet website.
         Sec. 508.1442.  ADDITIONAL PAROLE CONSIDERATIONS FOR INMATE
  WHO COMMITTED OFFENSE BEFORE AGE OF 18. (a) This section applies
  only to the consideration for release on parole of an inmate who was
  younger than 18 years of age at the time the offense for which the
  inmate is eligible for release on parole was committed.
         (b)  In determining whether to release an inmate described by
  Subsection (a) on parole, a parole panel shall assess the growth and
  maturity of the inmate, taking into consideration:
               (1)  the diminished culpability of persons younger than
  18 years of age, as compared to that of adults;
               (2)  the hallmark features of youth; and
               (3)  the greater capacity of persons younger than 18
  years of age for change, as compared to that of adults.
         (c)  The board shall adopt a policy establishing factors for
  a parole panel to consider when reviewing for release on parole an
  inmate to whom this section applies to ensure that the inmate is
  provided a meaningful opportunity to obtain release. The policy
  must:
               (1)  consider the age of the inmate at the time of the
  commission of the offense as a mitigating factor in favor of
  granting release on parole; and
               (2)  permit persons having knowledge of the inmate
  before the inmate committed the offense or having knowledge of the
  inmate's growth and maturity after the offense was committed to
  submit statements regarding the inmate for consideration by the
  parole panel.
         (d)  This section does not:
               (1)  affect the rights granted under this chapter or
  Article 56A.051, Code of Criminal Procedure, to a victim, guardian
  of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim; or
               (2)  create a legal cause of action.
         SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department shall develop
  and provide training to members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles
  and parole commissioners, as defined by Section 508.001, Government
  Code, on best practices for parole consideration for inmates
  described by Section 508.1441(a)(1)(A), Government Code, as added
  by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  (a) Not later than September 1, 2026, the Board
  of Pardons and Paroles shall develop and implement the parole
  guidelines and procedures required under Section 508.1441,
  Government Code, as added by this Act.
         (b)  As soon as practicable after the date the Board of
  Pardons and Paroles implements the parole guidelines and procedures
  under Subsection (a) of this section, the board shall reconsider
  for release on parole any inmate described by Section
  508.1441(a)(1)(A), Government Code, as added by this Act, who was
  previously denied release on parole before the implementation of
  the parole guidelines and procedures under Subsection (a) of this
  section.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.