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)]
Lopinto HB No. 329
Abstract: Provides for parole eligibility for certain offenders.
Present law provides for eligibility for parole consideration for certain offenders.
Proposed law retains present law and makes an exception to present law to provide that
notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, unless eligible for parole at an earlier date,
a person committed to the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) for a term or terms
of imprisonment with or without benefit of parole or a person serving a life sentence ordered
pursuant to the Habitual Offender Law enacted by Act No. 1245 of the 1995 R.S., shall be
eligible for parole consideration upon reaching the age of 50 years if all of the following
conditions are met:
(1)The offender has not been convicted of a crime of violence as defined in present law;
however, for purposes of proposed law, a conviction shall not be considered to be for a
crime of violence if in fact physical violence was not perpetrated against the victim in the
commission of the crime.
(2)The offender has served at least 15 years of imprisonment in actual custody.
(3)The offender has not committed any major disciplinary offenses in 12 consecutive months
prior to the parole eligibility date.
(4)The offender has completed substance abuse treatment, as applicable.
(5)The offender has completed anger management treatment, as applicable.
(6)The offender has obtained a low-risk level designation determined by a validated risk
assessment instrument approved by the secretary of the DPS&C.
(7)The offender has completed the mandatory minimum of 100 hours of prerelease
programming, if available.
(8)The offender has obtained a GED credential, unless the offender has a high school
diploma or is deemed by a certified educator as incapable of obtaining a GED due to a
learning disability or because such programming is not available. If the offender is
deemed incapable of obtaining a GED, the offender must successfully complete either a literacy program, an adult basic education program, or a job skills training program.
(Adds R.S. 15:574.4(A)(5))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill.
1. Added requirement that a disciplinary action be a major disciplinary action in order to
make a person ineligible for parole consideration.