An Act to end lifetime parole for juveniles and emerging adults
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill seeks to eliminate the practice of lifetime parole for individuals convicted of crimes as juveniles or emerging adults in Massachusetts. Currently, some offenders sentenced as youth can be subject to life without parole. The legislation aims to align the state’s sentencing practices with the understanding that young people’s brains are still developing and they are more amenable to rehabilitation.
Key provisions
- Ends lifetime parole for juvenile offenders.
- Applies to individuals convicted as minors or emerging adults.
- Revises sentencing guidelines for young offenders.
- Focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration opportunities.
- Addresses disparities in sentencing for young people.
Who is affected
- Juveniles convicted of crimes
- Emerging adults convicted of crimes
- Individuals serving life without parole sentences
- The Massachusetts criminal justice system
- Families of juvenile offenders
Notable changes
- Changes current sentencing practices for young offenders.
- Potentially reduces the number of individuals serving life without parole.
- Aligns Massachusetts law with evolving understanding of adolescent development.
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
10 on record
Primary sponsor
James B. Eldridge
Cosponsors
Christopher J. Worrell
James B. Eldridge
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours