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 Reengrossed 2017 Regular Session Bouie
Abstract: Provides relative to 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 an exception that periods of time prior to the imposition
of the sentence in which the defendant was in actual custody for the offense he was sentenced to life
imprisonment shall be included in computing the 15-year period.
Present law further 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 retains present law.
(Amends R.S. 15:572.4(D))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Restore present law which provides that an applicant sentenced to life imprisonment is
eligible to apply to the board for a pardon or commutation of sentence 15 years after
being sentenced by the trial court.
2. Provide that periods of time that the defendant was in actual custody for the offense prior
to imposition of sentence shall be included in computing the 15-year period.
3. Restore present law relative to the five-year time period an applicant is required to wait
before filing a subsequent application after the initial application is denied.