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HB 1065

PARDON/PAROLE: Provides relative to parole eligibility, consideration, and hearings for persons convicted by a non-unanimous jury

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Wilford Carter

Parole for inmates sentenced under non-unanimous verdicts becomes immediately eligible, with a majority vote by the parole panel required for grants.

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
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Bill Summary · HB 1065

Summary: HB 1065 (2026) – Parole Eligibility, Consideration, and Hearings for Non-Unanimous Jury Convictions (Louisiana)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill revises parole eligibility and consideration procedures for prisoners whose sentences were imposed after a non-unanimous jury verdict.
  • It aims to ensure timelier and more accessible parole review for individuals convicted under non-unanimous jury verdicts, aligning parole processes with the unique history of those verdicts in Louisiana.

Key provisions and changes

1) Parole panel voting standard (R.S. 15:574.2(C)(2) and new §574.2(C)(4))

  • Current law (unanimous requirement): Granting parole generally requires a unanimous vote of the parole panel.
  • HB 1065 change: For offenders whose sentences were imposed pursuant to a non-unanimous jury verdict, parole would be granted by a majority vote of the three-member panel (or a majority of those present if the panel has more than three members).
  • This creates a different voting threshold specifically for non-unanimous verdict cases.

2) Immediate parole eligibility for non-unanimous verdicts (R.S. 15:574.4(L))

  • New provision: An offender serving a sentence imposed under a non-unanimous jury verdict is immediately eligible for parole consideration.
  • This removes any automatic waiting period that might have applied previously and ensures prompt eligibility.

3) Parole consideration and hearings under non-unanimous verdicts (R.S. 15:574.4.1(F))

  • Committee duty: The parole board must consider or reconsider the parole application of any prisoner serving a sentence imposed under a non-unanimous verdict.
  • If parole is denied:
    • The board must provide a written written notice stating the reason for denial.
    • The prisoner may file a new parole application no earlier than one year after the date of the board’s action.
    • Any subsequent applications must not be filed earlier than one year after the immediately preceding board action.

4) Implementation timeline (Section 2)

  • The policy takes effect starting August 1, 2026, at which point the committee on parole must begin to consider or reconsider parole applications for sentences described in §574.4.1(F)(1).

Who is affected

  • Prisoners whose sentences were imposed pursuant to a non-unanimous jury verdict in Louisiana.
  • The Louisiana Committee on Parole (and related administrative staff) will implement the revised voting standard and the immediate eligibility for parole.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The bill amends La. R.S. 15:574.2(C)(2) to change the required vote from unanimous to a majority for non-unanimous verdict cases (for three-member panels) and applies majority voting for larger panels by those present.
  • It adds new sections:
    • R.S. 15:574.2(C)(4): formalizes the majority vote requirement for non-unanimous verdict cases.
    • R.S. 15:574.4(L): establishes immediate parole eligibility for non-unanimous verdict sentences.
    • R.S. 15:574.4.1(F): obligates the committee to consider/reconsider and provide written notice of denial with new-application timing constraints.
  • Effective date for the new review process: August 1, 2026.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Parole prospects for a subset of inmates may improve due to the majority-vote standard (potentially reducing the barrier created by unanimity).
  • Immediate eligibility accelerates the possibility of parole discussions for these defendants.
  • The denial notification requirement improves transparency and sets a clear, mandatory cadence for subsequent applications (one-year minimum intervals).
  • The changes respond to the historical context of non-unanimous verdicts in Louisiana and adjust the parole system accordingly.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison of current law vs. HB 1065 language, or a quick FAQ for impacted inmates and advocates.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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