Bill > HB280

This bill creates a new legal mechanism that allows certain parolees to petition the court to terminate their sentence under specific conditions. Specifically, an individual can file a motion to end their sentence if they have been on parole for at least 10 years without any revocations and are not a registered sex offender. When filing the motion, the parolee must provide documentation demonstrating their rehabilitation, including employment history, educational achievements, volunteer activities, and letters of support. The court will then notify the prosecuting attorney and request information about the person's conduct while on parole. The court may hold a hearing and will review all submitted information to determine eligibility. If the court finds the person meets the requirements and determines that terminating the sentence serves the interests of justice, the public, and the individual, it can issue an order fully discharging the person's sentence. The bill clarifies that such an order means the sentence is completely terminated without any additional conditions. Importantly, this law will only take effect on December 1, 2025, and is contingent upon voter approval of a related constitutional amendment that would authorize courts to terminate sentences for successful parolees.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB280