A bid to make habitual offenders eligible for parole is nearing final passage after zipping through a state Senate committee Tuesday.
The Senate Committee on Judiciary B voted without objection to advance House Bill 543 by state Rep. Patricia Smith, D-Baton Rouge. The proposal now moves to the state Senate floor.
Under HB543, certain offenders would become eligible parole after serving part of a life sentence. The bill would not apply to violent offenders or those convicted of sex crimes.
The bill would apply to:
• Inmates who have served at least 25 years after being sentenced between the ages of 18 and under 25.
• Inmates who have served at least 20 years after being sentenced between the ages of at least 25 and under 35.
• Inmates who have served at least 15 years after being sentenced between the ages of at least 35 and under 50.
• Inmates who have served at least 10 years after being sentenced when they were 50 years or older.
