HLS 23RS-855 ENGROSSED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 444
BY REPRESENTATIVES FREIBERG, BRYANT, KNOX, AND LAFLEUR
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
PAROLE: Provides relative to parole eligibility for certain offenders
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 15:574.2(C)(2)(e), 574.4(A)(4)(e), (B)(2)(a)(vi), (b)(vi), (c)(vi),
3 and (d)(vi), (D)(1)(e)(introductory paragraph), (E)(1)(e)(introductory paragraph),
4 (F)(1)(e)(introductory paragraph), (G)(1)(e)(introductory paragraph), and
5 (J)(1)(e)(introductory paragraph), and R.S. 15:574.4.2(E) and to enact R.S.
6 15:574.4(D)(1)(e)(iv), (E)(1)(e)(iv), (F)(1)(e)(iv), (G)(1)(e)(iv), and (J)(1)(e)(iv),
7 relative to parole eligibility for certain offenders; to provide relative to the conditions
8 for parole eligibility; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related
9 matters.
10Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
11 Section 1. R.S. 15:574.2(C)(2)(e), 574.4(A)(4)(e), (B)(2)(a)(vi), (b)(vi), (c)(vi), and
12(d)(vi), (D)(1)(e)(introductory paragraph), (E)(1)(e)(introductory paragraph),
13(F)(1)(e)(introductory paragraph), (G)(1)(e)(introductory paragraph), and
14(J)(1)(e)(introductory paragraph), and R.S. 15:574.4.2(E) are hereby amended and reenacted
15and R.S. 15:574.4(D)(1)(e)(iv), (E)(1)(e)(iv), (F)(1)(e)(iv), (G)(1)(e)(iv), and (J)(1)(e)(iv)
16are hereby enacted to read as follows:
17 §574.2. Committee on parole, Board of Pardons; membership; qualifications;
18 vacancies; compensation; domicile; venue; meetings; quorum; panels;
19 powers and duties; transfer of property to committee; representation of
20 applicants before the committee; prohibitions
21 * * *
Page 1 of 12
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-855 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 444
1 C.
2 * * *
3 (2) Except in cases where the offender is released pursuant to Paragraph (4)
4 of this Subsection, the committee may grant parole with two votes of a three-member
5 panel, or, if the number exceeds a three-member panel, a majority vote of those
6 present if all of the following conditions are met:
7 * * *
8 (e) The offender has obtained or completed a GED credential, unless the
9 offender has previously obtained a high school diploma or is deemed by a certified
10 educator as being incapable of obtaining a GED credential due to a learning
11 disability. If the offender is deemed incapable of obtaining a GED credential, the
12 offender must complete at least one of the following:
13 (i) a A literacy program.
14 (ii) an An adult basic education program,.
15 (iii) or a A job skills training program.
16 (iv) A GED certification.
17 * * *
18 §574.4. Parole; eligibility; juvenile offenders
19 A.
20 * * *
21 (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, unless
22 eligible for parole at an earlier date, a person committed to the Department of Public
23 Safety and Corrections for a term or terms of imprisonment with or without benefit
24 of parole who has served at least ten years of the term or terms of imprisonment in
25 actual custody shall be eligible for parole consideration upon reaching the age of
26 sixty years if all of the following conditions have been met:
27 * * *
28 (e) The offender has obtained a GED credential, unless the offender has
29 previously obtained a high school diploma or is deemed by a certified educator as
Page 2 of 12
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-855 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 444
1 being incapable of obtaining a GED credential due to a learning disability. If the
2 offender is deemed incapable of obtaining a GED credential, the offender shall
3 complete or completed at least one of the following:
4 (i) a A literacy program,.
5 (ii) an An adult basic education program,.
6 (iii) or a A job-skills training program.
7 (iv) A GED certification.
8 * * *
9 B.
10 * * *
11 (2) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any person serving
12 a life sentence, with or without the benefit of parole, who has not been convicted of
13 a crime of violence as defined by R.S. 14:2(B), a sex offense as defined by R.S.
14 15:541, or an offense, regardless of the date of conviction, which would constitute
15 a crime of violence as defined by R.S. 14:2(B) or a sex offense as defined by R.S.
16 15:541, shall be eligible for parole consideration as follows:
17 (a) If the person was at least eighteen years of age and under the age of
18 twenty-five years at the time he was sentenced to life imprisonment, he shall be
19 eligible for parole consideration if all of the following conditions have been met:
20 * * *
21 (vi) The person has obtained a GED credential, unless the prisoner has
22 previously obtained a high school diploma or is deemed by a certified educator as
23 being incapable of obtaining a GED credential due to a learning disability or because
24 such programming is not available. If the prisoner is deemed incapable of obtaining
25 a GED credential, the person shall complete or completed at least one of the
26 following:
27 (aa) a A literacy program,.
28 (bb) an An adult basic education program,.
29 (cc) or a A job-skills training program.
Page 3 of 12
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-855 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 444
1 (dd) A GED certification.
2 (b) If the person was at least twenty-five years of age and under the age of
3 thirty-five years at the time he was sentenced to life imprisonment, he shall be
4 eligible for parole consideration if all of the following conditions have been met:
5 * * *
6 (vi) The person has obtained a GED credential, unless the prisoner has
7 previously obtained a high school diploma or is deemed by a certified educator as
8 being incapable of obtaining a GED credential due to a learning disability or because
9 such programming is not available. If the prisoner is deemed incapable of obtaining
10 a GED credential, the person shall complete or completed at least one of the
11 following:
12 (aa) a A literacy program,.
13 (bb) an An adult basic education program,.
14 (cc) or a A job-skills training program.
15 (dd) A GED certification.
16 (c) If the person was at least thirty-five years of age and under the age of
17 fifty years at the time he was sentenced to life imprisonment, he shall be eligible for
18 parole consideration if all of the following conditions have been met:
19 * * *
20 (vi) The person has obtained a GED credential, unless the prisoner has
21 previously obtained a high school diploma or is deemed by a certified educator as
22 being incapable of obtaining a GED credential due to a learning disability or because
23 such programming is not available. If the prisoner is deemed incapable of obtaining
24 a GED credential, the person shall complete or completed at least one of the
25 following:
26 (aa) a A literacy program,.
27 (bb) an An adult basic education program,.
28 (cc) or a A job-skills training program.
29 (dd) A GED certification.
Page 4 of 12
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-855 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 444
1 (d) If the person was at least fifty years of age at the time he was sentenced
2 to life imprisonment, he shall be eligible for parole consideration if all of the
3 following conditions have been met:
4 * * *
5 (vi) The person has obtained or completed a GED credential, unless the
6 prisoner has previously obtained a high school diploma or is deemed by a certified
7 educator as being incapable of obtaining a GED credential due to a learning
8 disability or because such programming is not available. If the prisoner is deemed
9 incapable of obtaining a GED credential, the person shall complete at least one of the
10 following:
11 (aa) a A literacy program,.
12 (bb) an An adult basic education program,.
13 (cc) or a A job skills training program.
14 (dd) A GED certification.
15 * * *
16 D.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any person
17 serving a sentence of life imprisonment who was under the age of eighteen years at
18 the time of the commission of the offense, except for a person serving a life sentence
19 for a conviction of first degree murder (R.S. 14:30) or second degree murder (R.S.
20 14:30.1), shall be eligible for parole consideration pursuant to the provisions of this
21 Subsection if all of the following conditions have been met:
22 * * *
23 (e) The offender has obtained a GED certification, unless the offender has
24 previously obtained a high school diploma or is deemed by a certified educator as
25 being incapable of obtaining a GED certification due to a learning disability. If the
26 offender is deemed incapable of obtaining a GED certification, the offender shall
27 complete or completed at least one of the following:
28 * * *
Page 5 of 12
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-855 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 444
1 (iv) A GED certification.
2 * * *
3 E.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary and except as
4 provided in Subsection G of this Section, any person serving a sentence of life
5 imprisonment for a conviction of first degree murder (R.S. 14:30) who was under the
6 age of eighteen years at the time of the commission of the offense and whose
7 indictment for the offense is on or after August 1, 2017, shall be eligible for parole
8 consideration pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection if a judicial determination
9 has been made that the person is entitled to parole eligibility pursuant to Code of
10 Criminal Procedure Article 878.1(A) and all of the following conditions have been
11 met:
12 * * *
13 (e) The offender has obtained a GED certification, 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 certification due to a learning disability. If the
16 offender is deemed incapable of obtaining a GED certification, the offender shall
17 complete or completed at least one of the following:
18 * * *
19 (iv) A GED certification.
20 * * *
21 F.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary and except as
22 provided in Subsection G of this Section, any person serving a sentence of life
23 imprisonment for a conviction of second degree murder (R.S. 14:30.1) who was
24 under the age of eighteen years at the time of the commission of the offense and
25 whose indictment for the offense is on or after August 1, 2017, shall be eligible for
26 parole consideration if all of the following conditions have been met:
27 * * *
28 (e) The offender has obtained a GED certification, unless the offender has
29 previously obtained a high school diploma or is deemed by a certified educator as
Page 6 of 12
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-855 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 444
1 being incapable of obtaining a GED certification due to a learning disability. If the
2 offender is deemed incapable of obtaining a GED certification, the offender shall
3 complete or completed at least one of the following:
4 * * *
5 (iv) A GED certification.
6 * * *
7 G.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any person
8 serving a sentence of life imprisonment for a conviction of first degree murder (R.S.
9 14:30) or second degree murder (R.S. 14:30.1) who was under the age of eighteen
10 years at the time of the commission of the offense and whose indictment for the
11 offense was prior to August 1, 2017, shall be eligible for parole consideration
12 pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection if a judicial determination has been
13 made that the person is entitled to parole eligibility pursuant to Code of Criminal
14 Procedure Article 878.1(B) and all of the following conditions have been met:
15 * * *
16 (e) The offender has obtained a GED certification, unless the offender has
17 previously obtained a high school diploma or is deemed by a certified educator as
18 being incapable of obtaining a GED certification due to a learning disability. If the
19 offender is deemed incapable of obtaining a GED certification, the offender shall
20 complete or completed at least one of the following:
21 * * *
22 (iv) A GED certification.
23 * * *
24 J.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, and except as
25 provided in Subsections D, E, F, G, and H of this Section, any person serving a term
26 or terms of imprisonment that result in a period of incarceration of twenty-five years
27 or more and who was under the age of eighteen years at the time of the commission
Page 7 of 12
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-855 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 444
1 of the offense shall be eligible for parole consideration pursuant to the provisions of
2 this Subsection if all of the following conditions have been met:
3 * * *
4 (e) The offender has obtained a GED certification, unless the offender has
5 previously obtained a high school diploma or is deemed by a certified educator as
6 being incapable of obtaining a GED certification due to a learning disability. If the
7 offender is deemed incapable of obtaining a GED certification, the offender shall
8 complete or completed at least one of the following:
9 * * *
10 (iv) A GED certification.
11 * * *
12 §574.4.2. Decisions of committee on parole; nature, order, and conditions of parole;
13 rules of conduct; infectious disease testing
14 * * *
15 E.(1) Before the committee on parole places a person on parole, the
16 committee shall determine if he has a high school diploma or its equivalent and, if
17 he does not, the committee shall condition parole upon the parolee's enrolling in or
18 completion of and attending an adult education or reading program until he obtains
19 a GED credential, or until he completes such educational programs required by the
20 committee, and has attained a sixth grade reading level, or until his term of parole
21 expires, whichever occurs first. All costs shall be paid by the parolee. If the
22 committee finds that there are no adult education or reading programs in the parish
23 in which the parolee is domiciled, the parolee is unable to afford such a program, or
24 attendance would create an undue hardship on the parolee, the committee may
25 suspend this condition of parole. one of the following:
26 (a) A literacy program.
27 (b) An adult basic education program.
28 (c) A job skills training program.
29 (d) A GED certification.
Page 8 of 12
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-855 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 444
1 (2) The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to those parolees who
2 have already obtained a GED or high school diploma or who are mentally,
3 physically, or by reason of age, infirmity, dyslexia, or other such learning disorders,
4 unable to participate.
5 * * *
6 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
7signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
8by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
9vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
10effective on the day following such approval.
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 444 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Freiberg
Abstract: Provides relative to parole eligibility conditions for certain offenders.
Present law (R.S. 15:574.2) provides for the powers and duties of the committee on parole.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law (R.S. 15:574.2(C)(2)) provides that the committee on parole may grant parole
with two votes of a three-member panel if certain conditions are met.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law (R.S. 15:574.2(C)(2)(e)) provides that one of the conditions that an offender
shall fulfill to be eligible for parole is if the offender has obtained a GED credential, unless
the offender has previously obtained a high school diploma or is deemed by a certified
educator as being incapable of obtaining a GED credential due to a learning disability.
Further provides that if the offender is deemed incapable of obtaining a GED credential, the
offender must complete at least one of the following: a literacy program, an adult basic
education program, or a job skills training program.
Proposed law amends present law by removing the exception for an offender who is deemed
incapable of obtaining a GED and by providing that any offender may be eligible for parole
if he completes at least one of the following:
(1)A literacy program.
(2)An adult basic education program.
(3)A job-skills training program.
Page 9 of 12
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-855 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 444
(4)A GED certification.
Present law (R.S. 15:574.4) provides for parole eligibility for certain offenders.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law (R.S. 15:574.4) further provides the following groups of offenders with
eligibility for parole consideration if certain conditions have been met:
(1)Any person committed to DPS&C for a term or terms of imprisonment with or
without benefit of parole who has served at least 10 years of the term or terms of
imprisonment in actual custody and who has reached the age of 60 years.
(2)Any person who has not been convicted of a crime of violence as defined in present
law (R.S. 14:2(B)), a sex offense as defined in present law (R.S. 15:541), or an
offense, regardless of the date of conviction, which would constitute a crime of
violence or a sex offense who, when sentenced to life imprisonment with or without
the benefit of parole, was in any of the following age ranges:
(a)At least 18 years of age and under the age of 25.
(b)At least 25 years of age and under the age of 35.
(c)At least 35 years of age and under the age of 50.
(d)At least 50 years of age.
(3)Any person serving a sentence of life imprisonment who was under the age of 18
years at the time of the commission of the offense, except for a person serving a life
sentence for a conviction of first degree murder (R.S. 14:30) or second degree
murder (R.S. 14:30.1).
(4)Any person serving a sentence of life imprisonment for a conviction of first degree
murder (R.S. 14:30) who was under the age of 18 years at the time of the
commission of the offense and whose indictment for the offense is on or after Aug.
1, 2017.
(5)Any person serving a sentence of life imprisonment for a conviction of second
degree murder (R.S. 14:30.1) who was under the age of 18 years at the time of the
commission of the offense and whose indictment for the offense is on or after Aug.
1, 2017.
(6)Any person serving a sentence of life imprisonment for a conviction of first degree
murder (R.S. 14:30) or second degree murder (R.S. 14:30.1) who was under the age
of 18 years at the time of the commission of the offense and whose indictment for
the offense was prior to Aug. 1, 2017.
(7)Any person serving a term or terms of imprisonment that resulted in a period of
incarceration of 25 years or more and who was under the age of 18 years at the time
of the commission of the offense.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that, as one of the conditions to be eligible for parole, the offender
obtain a GED credential.
Present law provides an exception to the requirement of obtaining a GED for an offender
who is deemed by a certified educator as being incapable of obtaining a GED credential due
Page 10 of 12
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-855 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 444
to a learning disability. Further provides that if the offender is deemed incapable of
obtaining a GED credential, the offender shall complete at least one of the following:
(1)A literacy program.
(2)An adult basic education program.
(3)A job-skills training program.
Proposed law amends present law by removing the exception for an offender who is deemed
incapable of obtaining a GED and by providing that any offender may be eligible for parole
if he completes at least one of the following:
(1)A literacy program.
(2)An adult basic education program.
(3)A job-skills training program.
(4)A GED certification.
Present law (R.S. 15:574.4.2) provides for the decisions of the committee on parole.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law (R.S. 15:574.4.2(E)) provides that before the committee on parole places a
person on parole, the committee shall determine if he has a high school diploma or its
equivalent and, if he does not, the committee shall condition parole upon the parolee's
enrolling in and attending an adult education or reading program until he obtains a GED
credential, or until he completes such educational programs required by the committee, and
has attained a sixth grade reading level, or until his term of parole expires, whichever occurs
first. Further provides that all costs shall be paid by the parolee and if the committee finds
that there are no adult education or reading programs in the parish in which the parolee is
domiciled, the parolee is unable to afford such a program, or attendance would create an
undue hardship on the parolee, the committee may suspend this condition of parole.
Present law further provides that the provisions of present law shall not apply to those
parolees who are mentally, physically, or by reason of age, infirmity, dyslexia, or other such
learning disorders, unable to participate.
Proposed law amends present law to provide that before the committee on parole places a
person on parole, the committee shall condition parole upon the parolee's enrolling in or
completion of one of the following:
(1)A literacy program.
(2)An adult basic education program.
(3)A job-skills training program.
(4)A GED certification.
Proposed law further amends present law to provide that the provisions of present law shall
also not apply to parolees who have already obtained a GED or high school diploma.
Page 11 of 12
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-855 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 444
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 15:574.2(C)(2)(e), 574.4(A)(4)(e), (B)(2)(a)(vi), (b)(vi), (c)(vi), and (d)(vi),
(D)(1)(e)(intro. para.), (E)(1)(e)(intro. para.), (F)(1)(e)(intro. para.), (G)(1)(e)(intro. para.),
and (J)(1)(e)(intro. para.), and 574.4.2(E); Adds R.S. 15:574.4(D)(1)(e)(iv), (E)(1)(e)(iv),
(F)(1)(e)(iv), (G)(1)(e)(iv), and (J)(1)(e)(iv))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of
Criminal Justice to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Relative to the powers and duties of the committee on parole, remove as a
condition for parole eligibility, the exception for an offender who is deemed
incapable of obtaining a GED and provide that an offender may be eligible for
parole if he completes at least one of the following:
(a)A literacy program.
(b)An adult basic education program.
(c)A job-skills training program.
(d)A GED certification.
3. Relative to the decisions of the committee on parole, provides that before the
committee places a person on parole, the committee shall condition parole upon
the parolee's enrolling in or completion of one of the following:
(a)A literacy program.
(b)An adult basic education program.
(c)A job-skills training program.
(d)A GED certification.
4. Provide that enrollment in or completion of proposed law conditions for parole
shall not apply to parolees who have already obtained a GED or high school
diploma.
Page 12 of 12
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.