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 205 Original 2017 Regular Session Bouie
Abstract: Amends the time periods for persons serving life sentences to apply for a pardon or
commutation of sentence.
Present law provides that persons sentenced to life imprisonment are ineligible to apply to the Board
of Pardons for a pardon or commutation of sentence for 15 years after being sentenced by the trial
court.
Proposed law amends present law to provide that a person is ineligible to apply for a pardon or
commutation of sentence for 15 years after his arrest.
Present law provides that if the initial application is denied, the applicant may file a new application
to the board no earlier than five years from the date of action of the board. Provides that any
subsequent applications cannot be filed earlier than five years from the preceding action by the
board.
Proposed law reduces these periods of time from five to three years.
(Amends R.S. 15:572.4(D))