Summary:

 Senate Bill 375 (SB 375) relates to probation. SB 375 removes the requirement that parolees pay for the cost of parole services; allows a minimum-risk defendant to be released from probation in certain circumstances; and amends good-time deductions for inmates.   

Legislation Overview:

 Senate Bill 375 (SB 375) makes three changes that affect incarcerated people or defendants on probation or parole.  
First, SB 375 removes the requirement that as a condition of parole, a person must pay for the costs of parole services and reimburse a local law enforcement agency or local crime stopper program. 
Second, it requires that a defendant be automatically released from probation if the defendant is a minimum-level risk, has met all probation obligations, and has completed at least half of the period of probation.  
Third, SB 375 amends how earned meritorious deductions (“good time”) are established in a prison.  Instead of earning good time by participating in prison programs, a prisoner may lose good time for failing to actively participate in programs.  Good time deductions must be awarded for the remainder of a sentence, after pre-sentence confinement has been deducted, upon admission to the correctional facility.  A prisoner confined following revocation of parole cannot earn good time.   Instead of being ineligible to earn good time deductions for engaging in certain bad behavior, a prisoner may lose good time for such behavior.  A prisoner must receive a statement of good time deductions earned upon initial award, if additional awards are given, if good time deductions are lost, and upon request. Also, a parolee is allowed to earn good time deductions while on parole in the community corresponding with the classification of the offense.  

Current Law:

 Currently, parolees must pay the actual costs of parole services (not to exceed $1,800 per year) and reimburse a law enforcement agency or crime-stopper program for the amount of any reward paid for information leading to the inmate’s arrest, prosecution or conviction.  
To earn “good time”, a prisoner must be an active participant in programs and good time deductions are not automatically awarded.  A prisoner confined following revocation of parole can earn from 8 to 30 days per month of good time and each prisoner must receive quarterly statements of their good time deductions.  

Amendments:

 On March 20, 2025, the House Judiciary Committee amended SB 375 by removing the bill’s prohibition of good time for a prisoner serving time for a parole revocation.  Instead, good time can be awarded to these individuals in a way that is commensurate with the classification of the offense.