Bill > SB1506

This bill modifies the rules for when the Board of Pardons and Paroles can reconsider an inmate for parole release after an initial denial. The bill establishes new timelines for when inmates can be reconsidered based on the type of offense they committed. For most inmates, the board must reconsider parole between one and five years after the initial denial. For inmates serving sentences for certain drug-related offenses under the Health and Safety Code, reconsideration can begin as soon as practicable after the first year. For inmates convicted of sexual assault (under Section 22.021 of the Penal Code) or those serving a life sentence for a capital felony, reconsideration can occur between one and ten years after the initial denial. The changes apply to all inmates confined in Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities on or after the act's effective date, regardless of when their original offense occurred. The Board of Pardons and Paroles is required to adopt a policy consistent with these new guidelines, and the act will take effect on September 1, 2025.