PETITION OF:

SECTION 1. Section 32H of chapter 94C, as appearing in the 2002 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 13, the word "parole," and is hereby further amended by inserting at the end of said section the following paragraph:-
Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a person convicted of violating subsections (c) of section 32A, paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of subsection (a) of section 32E, paragraphs (1), (2), (3) and (4) of subsection (b) of section 32E, paragraphs (1), (2), (3) and (4) of subsection (c) of section 32E and 32J of chapter 94C of the General Laws shall be eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of the maximum term of imprisonment imposed to a state prison or after serving one-half of the maximum term of imprisonment imposed to a house of correction if the court finds at sentencing that all of the following mitigating circumstances apply. The defendant shall also be eligible for earned good time, work release, and other pre-release programs deemed appropriate by the correctional authority with custodial responsibility, notwithstanding the provisions of section 32H of chapter 94C.

The following is the exclusive list of mitigating conditions:-
(1) the criminal history of the defendant falls in criminal history group A or B in the sentencing guidelines grid as set forth in Chapter 211G;
(2) the defendant has no prior drug distribution and trafficking convictions;
(3) the defendant did not use violence or credible threats of violence or possess a firearm or other dangerous weapon, or induce another participant to do so, in connection with the offense;
(4) the offense did not result in the death or serious bodily injury to any person;
(5) the defendant is a minor participant in the manufacture, distribution or sale of controlled substances;
(6) the defendant is not charged with an offense involving minors.
A defendant who fails to meet said mitigating circumstances shall not be eligible for parole at two-thirds of the maximum sentence imposed for state prison sentence or at one-half of the maximum sentence imposed for a house of correction sentence, and shall serve the full sentence of imprisonment imposed and shall be subject to post release supervision as set forth in section 5 of chapter 211E.

SECTION 2. Section 130 of chapter 127 of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking out the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following three sentences:— No prisoner shall be granted a parole permit merely as a reward for good conduct but only if the parole board is of the opinion that there is a reasonable probability that, if such prisoner is released, in light of appropriate conditions and community supervision, he will live and remain at liberty without violating the law and that his release is compatible with the welfare of society. In making this determination, the board shall consider whether, during the period of incarceration, the prisoner has participated in available work opportunities and education or treatment programs, and demonstrated good behavior. The board shall also consider whether risk reduction programs made available through collaboration with criminal justice agencies would minimize the probability of the prisoner re-offending once released.

SECTION 3. Section 136 of said chapter 127, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:— The parole board shall have the option to (1) grant parole, subject to the conditions or limitations as deemed appropriate, (2) deny parole, subject to reconsideration at a specified date with recommendations for interim program participation or treatment, or (3) deny parole.