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 643 Engrossed 2020 Regular Session Jones
Abstract: Authorizes a reduction in the level of supervision and fees after a parolee has served a
certain length of time.
Present law provides that when the committee on parole orders an offender released on parole, the
term shall be for the remainder of the offender's sentence, with credits for compliance with the terms
and conditions of parole supervision pursuant to present law (R.S. 15:574.6.1). Further provides that
when the parolee has completed his full parole term, he shall be discharged from parole by the Dept.
of Public Safety and Corrections without order by the committee, provided that:
(1)No warrant has been issued by the committee for the arrest of the parolee.
(2)No detainer has been issued by the parole officer for the detention of the parolee pending
revocation proceedings.
(3)No indictment or bill of information is pending for any felony the parolee is suspected to
have committed while on parole.
Proposed law amends present law to require the committee's determination of time and conditions
of release on parole of any offender who has been convicted of a felony and sentenced to
imprisonment, and confined in any penal or correctional institution in this state to be in accordance
with present law (R.S. 15:574.7).
Present law (R.S. 15:574.4) requires each parolee to remain in the legal custody of the Dept. of
Public Safety and Corrections, corrections services, and requires the parolee to be subject to the order
and supervision of the committee. Further provides that at the direction of the committee, the chief
probation and parole officer shall be responsible for the investigation and supervision of all parolees.
Authorizes the committee to modify or suspend such supervision upon a determination that a parolee
who had conducted himself in accordance with the conditions of his parole no longer needs the
guidance and supervision originally imposed.
Proposed law provides that upon recommendation of the supervising parole officer and approval of
the committee on parole, the level of supervision and fees associated with the supervision of a
parolee may be reduced after the parolee has served a minimum of five years without a violation of
the terms and conditions of parole for a crime that is not a crime of violence as defined by present
law (R.S. 14:2(B)) and a minimum of seven years for a crime that is a crime of violence as defined
by present law. (Amends R.S. 15:574.2(D)(1); Adds R.S. 15:574.7(E))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill:
1. Restore present law relative to the committee's determination of time and conditions of
release on parole of any offender who has been convicted of a felony and sentenced to
imprisonment.
2. Relative to the custody and supervision of parolees, authorize a reduction in the level of
supervision and fees after a parolee has served a certain length of time.