Bill > H1346

This bill modifies sentencing for individuals under eighteen years old who are convicted of certain serious crimes, specifically murder. It mandates that a list of individuals considered for certain roles, likely related to juvenile justice or assessment, must include a professional with at least five years of experience in adolescent development and psychology, chosen from nominees provided by specific professional organizations. For those found guilty of first or second-degree murder committed between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, the bill establishes a mandatory life sentence, with eligibility for parole after serving fifteen years. It also specifies that such individuals, while serving their sentences, must be housed in a separate "youthful offender unit" and not in general adult prison populations, with restrictions on placement at certain correctional facilities before their eighteenth birthday. The bill also clarifies parole eligibility for those serving life sentences for murder, ensuring that individuals who committed first-degree murder before their eighteenth birthday are eligible for parole after fifteen years, aligning them with other life-sentenced prisoners.