Relating to parole guidelines and procedures for inmates convicted of an offense committed when younger than 18 years of age.

89(R) HB 5525 - Engrossed version - Bill Text

89R25515 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 Sections 508.1441 and 508.1442 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;

(4)

include a comprehensive reintegration plan for the

inmate; and

(5)

include the additional parole considerations

required under Section 508.1442.

(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 the 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 to the extent possible:

(1)

use data compiled by the Legislative Budget Board

in creating the report required under Subsection (c); and

(2)

collaborate with the Legislative Budget Board to

ensure the accuracy and consistency of the data used in the report.

(e)

The board shall publish the report described by

Subsection (c) on the board's Internet website.

Sec.

508.1442.

ADDITIONAL PAROLE CONSIDERATIONS FOR INMATE

WHO COMMITTED OFFENSE BEFORE AGE OF 18. (a) This section applies

only to the consideration for release on parole of 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.

(b)

In determining whether to release an inmate described by

Subsection (a) on parole, a parole panel shall assess the growth and

maturity of the inmate, taking into consideration:

(1)

the diminished culpability of persons younger than

18 years of age, as compared to that of adults;

(2) the hallmark features of youth; and

(3)

the greater capacity of persons younger than 18

years of age for change, as compared to that of adults.

(c)

The board shall adopt a policy establishing factors for

a parole panel to consider when reviewing for release on parole an

inmate to whom this section applies to ensure that the inmate is

provided a meaningful opportunity to obtain release. The policy

must:

(1)

consider the age of the inmate at the time of the

commission of the offense as a mitigating factor in favor of

granting release on parole; and

(2)

permit persons having knowledge of the inmate

before the inmate committed the offense or having knowledge of the

inmate's growth and maturity after the offense was committed to

submit statements regarding the inmate for consideration by the

parole panel.

(d) This section does not:

(1)

affect the rights granted under this chapter or

Article 56A.051, Code of Criminal Procedure, to a victim, guardian

of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim; or

(2) create a legal cause of action.

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 September 1, 2026, 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 September 1, 2025.