THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY MATZIE, D. COSTA, BELFANTI, KORTZ, WAGNER AND SIPTROTH, SEPTEMBER 22, 2009

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2009  

AN ACT

Amending the act of August 6, 1941 (P.L.861, No.323), entitled,

as amended, "An act to create a uniform and exclusive system

for the administration of parole in this Commonwealth;

providing state probation services; establishing the

'Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole'; conferring and

defining its jurisdiction, duties, powers and functions;

including the supervision of persons placed upon probation

and parole in certain designated cases; providing for the

method of appointment of its members; regulating the

appointment, removal and discharge of its officers, clerks

and employes; dividing the Commonwealth into administrative

districts for purposes of probation and parole; fixing the

salaries of members of the board and of certain other

officers and employes thereof; making violations of certain

provisions of this act misdemeanors; providing penalties

therefor; and for other cognate purposes, and making an

appropriation," providing for jurisdiction of parole board in

certain cases.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  The act of August 6, 1941 (P.L.861, No.323),

referred to as the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole

Law, is amended by adding a section to read:

Section 21.2.  (a)  An individual who was less than eighteen

years of age when he committed a crime for which he was

sentenced to serve a minimum term of imprisonment of no less

than ten years or who was sentenced to life imprisonment without

parole eligibility who has served ten years of the sentence is

subject to the jurisdiction of the parole board.

(b)  In determining whether to release an individual on

parole under this section, the parole board shall consider the

following factors:

(1)  The individual's age and level of maturity at the time

of the offense.

(2)  The individual's degree of participation in the offense.

(3)  The nature of the offense.

(4)  The severity of the offense.

(5)  The individual's prior juvenile or criminal history.

(6)  The likelihood of the individual to commit further

offenses.

(7)  Other information considered relevant by the parole

board.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.