Revision: June 19, 2024, 12:35 p.m.
CHAPTER 84
SB 424 - FINAL VERSION
2024 SESSION
24-3035
09/08
SENATE BILL 424
AN ACT relative to reductions of maximum sentences while on parole.
SPONSORS: Sen. Whitley, Dist 15; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Watters, Dist 4
COMMITTEE: Judiciary
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires the supervising probation/parole officer to conduct an annual review of his or her parole caseload to identify and present parolees to the adult parole board for reduction of the parolee's maximum sentence, and provides additional factors for the parole board to consider when determining whether to grant a reduction of a parolee's maximum sentence.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24-3035
09/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
AN ACT relative to reductions of maximum sentences while on parole.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
84:1 Parole of Prisoners; Reduction of Maximum Sentence While on Parole. Amend RSA 651-A:12 to read as follows:
651-A:12 Reduction of Maximum Sentence While on Parole.
I. Any person who is on parole from the state prison on a permit under the provisions of this chapter may be granted a reduction of maximum term of his or her sentence equal to 1/3 of the period of time during which the parolee is at liberty on said permit, provided that in making such a decision, the parole board shall consider:
(a) The supervision status of the parolee, with a specific focus on those on administrative supervision;
(b) The parolee's assessed risk associated with recidivism, including a targeted review of the parolee's criminal history, education, employment, financial status, family/marital status, housing status, leisure skills, companions, substance use and abuse problems, other mental health needs and engagement with treatment, and thought patterns regarding criminal conduct;
(c) The conduct of the parolee while under supervision[,];
(d) The compliance by the parolee with parole conditions;
(e) The seriousness of the offense[,];
(f) The amount of restitution owed[,] and paid; and
(g) Any information provided by the victim or survivors in the criminal matter.
II. The supervising probation/parole officer shall conduct an annual review of his or her parole caseload and shall identify, utilizing the factors in paragraph I, and present parolees to the adult parole board for reduction of the parolee's maximum sentence.
III. The parolee may be granted a discharge at the expiration of his or her maximum sentence less deductions provided for in this chapter.
84:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2025.
Approved: June 14, 2024
Effective Date: January 01, 2025