89R16181 MCF-F
By: Jones of Harris H.B. No. 5525
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to parole guidelines and procedures for inmates convicted
of an offense committed when younger than 18 years of age.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Youth Parole Reform
Act.
SECTION 2. Subchapter E, Chapter 508, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 508.1441 to read as follows:
Sec. 508.1441. PAROLE GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR INMATE
WHO COMMITTED OFFENSE BEFORE AGE OF 18; REPORT. (a) The board, in
consultation with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, shall
develop and implement:
(1) a version of the parole guidelines adopted under
Section 508.144 that:
(A) is specifically designed for an inmate who
was younger than 18 years of age at the time the offense for which
the inmate is eligible for release on parole was committed; and
(B) prioritizes rehabilitation, educational
attainment, mental health treatment, and reintegration support;
and
(2) specific procedures to be used during the
consideration for release on parole of an inmate described by
Subdivision (1)(A).
(b) The procedures developed under Subsection (a)(2) must:
(1) require a parole panel considering the release on
parole of an inmate described by Subsection (a)(1)(A) to use the
parole guidelines developed under Subsection (a)(1);
(2) prohibit the parole panel from applying the parole
guidelines adopted under Section 508.144;
(3) require the parole panel to consider the
following:
(A) the inmate's age at the time the offense for
which the inmate is eligible for release on parole was committed;
(B) the inmate's demonstrated rehabilitation
progress;
(C) the inmate's educational and vocational
achievements;
(D) the inmate's psychological and behavioral
evaluations; and
(E) input from relevant professionals, family
members, and victims, if appropriate; and
(4) include a comprehensive reintegration plan for the
inmate.
(c) The board shall annually submit to the governor,
lieutenant governor, and members of the legislature a report that
includes:
(1) the following information with respect to inmates
described by Subsection (a)(1)(A) who are considered for release on
parole under the parole guidelines and procedures developed under
this section:
(A) the number of inmates considered and the
number released;
(B) the success rate of reintegration of inmates
released; and
(C) the recidivism rate of inmates released; and
(2) recommendations for improving the parole
guidelines and procedures developed under this section.
(d) The board shall publish the report described by
Subsection (c) on the board's Internet website.
SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department shall develop
and provide training to members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles
and parole commissioners, as defined by Section 508.001, Government
Code, on best practices for parole consideration for inmates
described by Section 508.1441(a)(1)(A), Government Code, as added
by this Act.
SECTION 4. (a) Not later than the 180th day after the
effective date of this Act, the Board of Pardons and Paroles shall
develop and implement the parole guidelines and procedures required
under Section 508.1441, Government Code, as added by this Act.
(b) As soon as practicable after the date the Board of
Pardons and Paroles implements the parole guidelines and procedures
under Subsection (a) of this section, the board shall reconsider
for release on parole any inmate described by Section
508.1441(a)(1)(A), Government Code, as added by this Act, who was
previously denied release on parole before the implementation of
the parole guidelines and procedures under Subsection (a) of this
section.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.