HLS 16RS-1162 ORIGINAL
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 691
BY REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON
PAROLE: Changes the number of votes required to grant parole
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 15:574.2(C), relative to the committee on parole; to provide that
3 parole can be granted upon a majority vote of the committee on parole; and to
4 provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 15:574.2(C) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
7 ยง574.2. Committee on parole, Board of Pardons; membership; qualifications;
8 vacancies; compensation; domicile; venue; meetings; quorum; panels;
9 powers and duties; transfer of property to committee; representation of
10 applicants before the committee; prohibitions
11 * * *
12 C.(1) The committee shall meet in a minimum of three-member panels at the
13 adult correctional institutions on regular scheduled dates, not less than every three
14 months. Such dates are to be determined by the chairman. Except as provided for
15 in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, three Two votes of a three-member panel shall
16 be required to grant parole, or, if the number exceeds a three-member panel, a
17 unanimous majority vote of those present shall be required to grant parole.
18 (2) The committee may grant parole with two votes of a three-member panel,
19 or, if the number exceeds a three-member panel, a majority vote of those present if
20 all of the following conditions are met:
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 16RS-1162 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 691
1 (a) The offender has not been convicted of a crime of violence as defined in
2 R.S. 14:2(B) or a sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541, or convicted of an offense
3 which would constitute a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) or a sex
4 offense as defined in R.S. 15:541, regardless of the date of conviction.
5 (b) The offender has not committed any major disciplinary offenses in the
6 twelve consecutive months prior to the parole eligibility date. A major disciplinary
7 offense is an offense identified as a Schedule B offense by the Department of Public
8 Safety and Corrections in the Disciplinary Rules and Procedures of Adult Offenders.
9 (c) The offender has completed the mandatory minimum of one hundred
10 hours of pre-release programming in accordance with R.S. 15:827.1 if such
11 programming is available at the facility where the offender is incarcerated.
12 (d) The offender has completed substance abuse treatment as applicable.
13 (e) The offender has obtained a GED credential, unless the offender has
14 previously obtained a high school diploma or is deemed by a certified educator as
15 being incapable of obtaining a GED credential due to a learning disability. If the
16 offender is deemed incapable of obtaining a GED credential, the offender must
17 complete at least one of the following: a literacy program, an adult basic education
18 program, or a job skills training program.
19 (f) The offender has obtained a low-risk level designation determined by a
20 validated risk assessment instrument approved by the secretary of the Department
21 of Public Safety and Corrections.
22 (3)(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law in this Section, no person
23 convicted of a crime of violence against any peace officer as defined in R.S.
24 14:30(B), shall be granted parole except after a meeting, duly noticed and held on a
25 date to be determined by the chairman, at which at least five of the seven members
26 of the committee are present and all members present vote to grant parole.
27 * * *
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 16RS-1162 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 691
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)]
HB 691 Original 2016 Regular Session Jackson
Abstract: Provides that a majority vote of the committee on parole can grant parole.
Present law provides for the committee on parole and provides that parole can be granted
upon a unanimous vote of the committee on parole.
Present law provides that a majority vote of the committee on parole can grant parole for
certain offenses only and if the offender has demonstrated a potential for rehabilitation
through various requirements.
Proposed law provides that parole for all offenders can be granted upon a majority vote of
the committee and removes the restrictions that exist in present law.
(Amends R.S. 15:574.2(C))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.