Petition for modification of a sentence; eligibility, procedures, report.
Sponsored By: Rae Cousins (Democratic)
In Committee
Summary
Petition for modification of a sentence; eligibility; procedures; report. Provides procedures for individuals serving a sentence for certain felony convictions or a combination of such convictions who remain incarcerated in a state or local correctional facility or secure facility and meet certain criteria to petition the circuit court that entered the original judgment or order to (i) suspend the unserved portion of such sentence or run the unserved portion of such sentence concurrently with another sentence, (ii) place such person on probation for such time as the court shall determine, or (iii) otherwise modify the sentence imposed. Depending on the type of conviction, the bill allows the court to grant a hearing on such petition after an individual has served at least 25 years for certain offenses, after 20 years for certain other offenses, and after 15 years for any other felony conviction not specified. The bill directs the Department of Corrections to convene a work group of relevant stakeholders to (a) consider and recommend best practices for implementation of the bill and (b) evaluate and recommend updates to victim notification systems. The work group shall complete its meetings by November 1, 2026, and report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 1, 2026.
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Bill Overview
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Rae Cousins
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Continued from last session
7/21/2026HouseContinued to 2027 in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
2/11/2026HouseSubcommittee recommends continuing to 2028 (Voice Vote)
2/9/2026HouseRacial and Ethnic Impact Statement From JLARC (2/9/2026 11:33 am)
2/9/2026HouseFiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB853)
2/4/2026HouseRacial and Ethnic Impact Statement From JLARC (2/4/2026 10:34 am)
2/4/2026HouseAssigned HCJ sub: Criminal
2/3/2026HouseFiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB853)
1/29/2026HouseReferred to Committee for Courts of Justice
1/13/2026HousePrefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105027D
1/13/2026House
Bill Text
Introduced
1/13/2026
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