HLS 12RS-1244 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 536
BY REPRESENTATIVE HONORE
PAROLE: Changes the votes necessary to grant parole
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 15:574.2(C), relative to the Board of Parole; to change the2
number of votes required to grant parole; and to provide for related matters.3
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:4
Section 1. R.S. 15:574.2(C) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 5
ยง574.2. Board of Parole; membership; qualifications; vacancies; compensation;6
domicile; venue; meetings; quorum; panels; powers and duties; transfer of7
property to board; representation of applicants before the board; prohibitions8
* * *9
C.(1) The board shall meet in a minimum of three-member panels at the10
adult correctional institutions on regular scheduled dates, not less than every three11
months. Such dates are to be determined by the chairman. Except as provided for12
in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, three Two votes of a three-member panel shall13
be required to grant parole, or, if the number exceeds a three-member panel, a14
unanimous majority vote of those present shall be required to grant parole.15
(2) The board may grant parole with two votes of a three-member panel, or,16
if the number exceeds a three-member panel, a majority vote of those present if all17
of the following conditions are met:18
(a) The offender has not been convicted of a crime of violence as defined in19
R.S. 14:2(B) or a sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541, or convicted of an offense20 HLS 12RS-1244 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 536
Page 2 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
which would constitute a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) or a sex1
offense as defined in R.S. 15:541, regardless of the date of conviction.2
(b) The offender has not committed any disciplinary offenses in the twelve3
consecutive months prior to the parole eligibility date.4
(c) The offender has completed the mandatory minimum of one hundred5
hours of pre-release programming in accordance with R.S. 15:827.1.6
(d) The offender has completed substance abuse treatment as applicable.7
(e) The offender has obtained a GED credential, unless the offender has8
previously obtained a high school diploma or is deemed by a certified educator as9
being incapable of obtaining a GED credential due to a learning disability. If the10
offender is deemed incapable of obtaining a GED credential, the offender must11
complete at least one of the following: a literacy program, an adult basic education12
program, or a job skills training program.13
(f) The offender has obtained a low-risk level designation determined by a14
validated risk assessment instrument approved by the secretary of the Department15
of Public Safety and Corrections.16
(3)(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law in this Section, no person17
convicted of a crime of violence against any peace officer as defined in R.S.18
14:30(B), shall be granted parole except after a meeting, duly noticed and held on a19
date to be determined by the chairman, at which at least five of the seven members20
of the board are present and all members present vote to grant parole.21
* * *22
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Honore HB No. 536
Abstract: Changes the number of votes required to grant parole.
Present law provides for the Board of Parole, the process for granting parole, and parole
eligibility. HLS 12RS-1244 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 536
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Present law provides that the board shall meet in a minimum of three-member panels at the
adult correctional institutions on regular scheduled dates, not less than every three months.
Three votes of a three-member panel shall be required to grant parole, or, if the number
exceeds a three-member panel, a unanimous vote of those present shall be required to grant
parole.
Proposed law changes present law to provide that the parole board may grant parole with
two votes of a three-member panel, or, if the number exceeds a three-member panel, a
majority vote of those present.
(Amends R.S. 15:574.2(C))