Courts would limit life without parole for crimes committed before 20

Courts would consider the person's youth, maturity, background, and potential for rehabilitation when sentencing. These rules would cover people who were under 20 when they committed the crime. Life without parole would require clear and convincing evidence, a high level of proof, of multiple victims, extreme cruelty, or adult-level planning or premeditation. In other cases, people would qualify for parole consideration after serving no more than 25 years, or sooner if another law provides.

People already serving life without parole for crimes committed before age 20 would be eligible for a parole review hearing. The section would cover sentences imposed before, on, or after August 28, 2026. A court could refuse to apply the rules to past sentences if doing so would cause manifest injustice, meaning a clearly unjust result. Eligibility for parole review would not guarantee release. Eligibility for a parole review hearing would be required no later than August 28, 2028, two years after August 28, 2026.

The parole board would weigh evidence of rehabilitation, conduct in prison, risk, and readiness to return to society, alongside victims’ input. These requirements would apply to parole consideration under the rules for people who committed crimes before age 20. Victims and their families would receive notice and be allowed to participate in all parole hearings and related proceedings. The board would notify victims or next of kin in time and allow testimony or written statements about parole eligibility.