Bill: HB 686, 87(R) - 2021

Committee

House Juvenile Justice & Family Issues

2nd Chamber Committee

Senate Criminal Justice

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Neutral Neutral Positive Neutral Positive

Author(s)

Joe Moody
Brad Buckley
Victoria Neave
Ana-Maria Ramos
James White

Co-Author(s)

Alma A. Allen
Michelle Beckley
Briscoe Cain
Elizabeth "Liz" Campos
Travis Clardy
Vikki Goodwin
Ryan Guillen
Ana Hernandez
Donna Howard
Jarvis Johnson
Jeff Leach
Theresa Meza
Ina Minjarez
Penny Morales Shaw
Leo Pacheco
Ron Reynolds
Hubert Vo
Gene Wu

Sponsor(s)

Eddie Lucio Jr.

Co-Sponsor(s)

Sarah Eckhardt
Bob Hall

Bill Caption

Relating to the release on parole of certain youthful offenders; changing parole eligibility.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 686 would require a parole panel, when making a decision on an inmate who committed the offense before they turned 17, to consider the growth of the inmate, the diminished culpability of juveniles, and the greater capacity for juveniles to change. The Board of Pardons and Paroles would have to adopt a policy requiring parole panels to consider the age of the inmate when the offense was committed as a mitigating factor, permit individuals who knew the inmate as a juvenile to testify on their personal growth, and commission an expert mental health evaluation to use in their decision.

HB 686 would lower the amount of years needed to be considered for parole for a person serving a life sentence for a capital felony committed when they were a minor from 40 years to 30 years, except for certain capital murder offenses. If enacted, a person convicted of various serious offenses committed when they were younger than 17 would only become eligible for parole after serving the lesser of 20 years in prison or one-half of their sentence, with a minimum of 4 years in prison.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports HB 686 which is consistent with our Individual Liberty and Personal Responsibility principles. This bill would incentivize and reward personal growth and good behavior of relevant juvenile defendants, allowing those who demonstrate sufficient growth to regain liberty and become responsible for themselves outside of the corrections system. 


Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 12:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/87r/hb686?print_view=true