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IA SF126
IA SF126A bill for an act relating to parole eligibility for a person under the age of twenty convicted of a class "A" felony and making penalties applicable.
summary
Introduced
01/23/2025
01/23/2025
In Committee
01/23/2025
01/23/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to parole eligibility for a person under the age of 20 convicted of a class “A” felony. Current law provides that a person under the age of 18 convicted of first degree murder, a class “A” felony, shall receive one of the following sentences: commitment to the department of corrections for the rest of the defendant’s life with no possibility of parole unless the governor commutes the sentence to a term of years; commitment to the department of corrections for the rest of the defendant’s life with the possibility of parole after serving a minimum term of confinement as determined by the court; or commitment to the department of corrections for the rest of the defendant’s life with the possibility of parole. The bill increases the age limit from 18 years to 20 years. Current law provides that a defendant convicted of a class “A” felony, other than murder in the first degree, and who was under the age of 18 at the time the offense was committed shall receive one of the following sentences: commitment to the department of corrections for the rest of the defendant’s life with the possibility of parole after serving a minimum term of confinement as determined by the court; or commitment to the department of corrections for the rest of the defendant’s life with the possibility of parole. The bill increases the age limit from 18 years to 20 years.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Iowa's sentencing guidelines for young offenders by expanding parole eligibility for individuals under 20 years old who have been convicted of serious felonies. Currently, the law allows for modified sentencing and potential parole for individuals under 18 who commit first-degree murder or other class "A" felonies. The bill increases this age threshold from 18 to 20 years old, which means that young people between the ages of 18 and 20 who commit serious crimes will now be eligible for the same sentencing considerations previously reserved for those under 18. Specifically, for first-degree murder, the bill allows for sentencing options that include life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving a minimum term determined by the court, or life imprisonment with potential parole. Similarly, for other class "A" felonies, the bill extends the same sentencing flexibility to offenders up to 20 years old. This change reflects a growing recognition in the legal system of the developmental differences between adolescents and young adults, and a potential desire to provide more rehabilitative opportunities for younger offenders.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Subcommittee recommends passage. (on 01/29/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF126 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF126.html |
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