(AP) – The Arkansas House has passed a bill that would
eliminate mandatory life-without-parole sentences for juveniles.
Senate Bill 294, sponsored by Local Senator Missy Irvin and co-sponsored by District 94's Representative Rebecca Petty, first passed in the Senate on February 28th, with Irvin voting in favor. Local Senator Linda Collins-Smith was opposed to the measure and Senator Scott Flippo did not vote.
The bill was passed by the House on an 86 to 1 vote Tuesday. Local Representative Jack Fortner had the only vote in opposition. Representative Nelda Speaks was counted as present, while all other local Representatives voted in favor.
Senate Bill 294 is meant to bring Arkansas' sentencing standards in line with recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that say mandatory life sentences for juveniles are unconstitutional.
The proposal would apply retroactively to juveniles sentenced for offenses committed before their 18th birthday. It would allow minors who were given life-without-parole sentences to be eligible for parole after serving 20 to 30 years in prison, depending on the charges.
The Arkansas Parole Board would determine parole eligibility.
The bill has already passed the Senate and now goes to Governor Asa Hutchinson for his signature.
eliminate mandatory life-without-parole sentences for juveniles.
Senate Bill 294, sponsored by Local Senator Missy Irvin and co-sponsored by District 94's Representative Rebecca Petty, first passed in the Senate on February 28th, with Irvin voting in favor. Local Senator Linda Collins-Smith was opposed to the measure and Senator Scott Flippo did not vote.
The bill was passed by the House on an 86 to 1 vote Tuesday. Local Representative Jack Fortner had the only vote in opposition. Representative Nelda Speaks was counted as present, while all other local Representatives voted in favor.
Senate Bill 294 is meant to bring Arkansas' sentencing standards in line with recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that say mandatory life sentences for juveniles are unconstitutional.
The proposal would apply retroactively to juveniles sentenced for offenses committed before their 18th birthday. It would allow minors who were given life-without-parole sentences to be eligible for parole after serving 20 to 30 years in prison, depending on the charges.
The Arkansas Parole Board would determine parole eligibility.
The bill has already passed the Senate and now goes to Governor Asa Hutchinson for his signature.
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