The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PETITION OF:
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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.
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An Act regarding retroactive parole eligibility for drug offenders. |
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 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, or any other general or special law to the contrary, persons serving mandatory minimum sentences in a state prison or house of correction for violations of the above referenced sections as of the date of enactment of this act shall be eligible for parole after serving two-thirds or one-half of the maximum sentence imposed respectively, provided however, that such defendant seek review of his sentence and the court finds that at the time the defendant was sentenced all of the following mitigating circumstances applied.
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.
SECTION 4. The sentencing guidelines and other related provisions contained herein shall apply to all felonies and misdemeanors committed on or after said date. All offenses committed prior to the date of enactment of this act shall be governed by the laws, including, but not limited to, those on sentencing, parole, and probation, in effect at the time the offense is committed.