Bill > HB4937

This bill modifies the rules for when the Board of Pardons and Paroles can reconsider an inmate for release on parole after an initial denial. The bill establishes a standardized policy requiring the board to reconsider an inmate's release within a specific timeframe: for most inmates, the reconsideration must begin after the first anniversary of the denial and end before the fifth anniversary of the denial. For inmates serving a sentence for certain serious sexual offenses (specifically under Section 22.021 of the Penal Code) or a life sentence for a capital felony, the reconsideration window is extended, allowing review between the first and tenth anniversaries of the initial denial. The bill applies to all inmates confined in Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities on or after the effective date, regardless of when their original offense occurred, and mandates that the Board of Pardons and Paroles adopt a policy consistent with these new guidelines. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, giving the board time to update its procedures and prepare for implementation.

Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4937