Bill > HB2678

This bill establishes new provisions for parole hearings for certain offenders in Missouri, specifically those who were considered "adolescents" (between 18 and 21 years old) when they committed an offense and have been sentenced to 25 years or more. The bill allows these offenders, who are serving their first commitment and have not been sentenced to death, to petition for a parole hearing after serving at least 15 years of their sentence. If the petition is deemed appropriate, the Institutional Parole Officer (IPO) will investigate the offender's rehabilitation efforts, including work assignments, programs, behavior, and educational achievements, and file a report with recommendations. Victims or their families will be notified at least 12 months before the hearing and have the right to be present and provide statements. The parole board will consider the offender's diminished culpability, growth, maturity, and a psychological evaluation, and will not grant parole if there's a substantial risk of reoffending or insufficient evidence of rehabilitation. If parole is granted, offenders must attend a reentry program. The bill also outlines specific periods of supervised parole (3 years for nonviolent offenses, 5 years for violent offenses, and 10 years for life sentences) and sets procedures for parole denial and subsequent hearings.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2678&year=2026&code=R