SF 126: Relating to parole eligibility for a person under the age of twenty convicted of a class “A” felony and making penalties applicable

What it does

This bill relates to parole eligibility for a person under the age of convicted of a class “A” felony. Current law provides that a person under the age of convicted of first degree murder, a class “A” felony, shall receive one of the following sentences: commitment to the department of corrections for the rest of the defendant’s life with no possibility of parole unless the governor commutes the sentence to a term of years; commitment to the department of corrections for the rest of the defendant’s life with the possibility of parole after serving a minimum term of confinement as determined by the court; or commitment to the department of corrections for the rest of the defendant’s life with the possibility of parole.

Senate subcommittee · named January 28, 2025

• Sen. Jeff Taylor (R) · jeff.taylor@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Dan Dawson (R) · dan.dawson@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Izaah Knox (D) · izaah.knox@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 7 for, 3 against

For: American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; Iowa Association for Justice; Iowa Catholic Conference; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; League of Women Voters of Iowa; NAACP, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Iowa-Nebraska

Against: Iowa County Attorneys Association; Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance; Soaring Hearts

In plain words

1. January 23, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Judiciary committee
2. January 28, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Taylor, Dawson and Knox
3. January 29, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it