HB853
Petition for modification of a sentence; eligibility, procedures, report.
Status:
In House
Latest Action:
Feb. 11, 2026
House: Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
Chief Patron:
Rae Cousins (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. 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 ... (More) 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. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/13/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105027D
- 01/13/2026 - House: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- 01/29/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB853)
- 02/03/2026 - House: Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
- 02/03/2026 - House: Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
- 02/04/2026 - House: Racial and Ethnic Impact Statement From JLARC (2/4/2026 10:34 am)
- 02/04/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB853)
- 02/07/2026 - House: Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
- 02/09/2026 - House: Racial and Ethnic Impact Statement From JLARC (2/9/2026 11:33 am)
- 02/09/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
- 02/10/2026 - House: Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
- 02/11/2026 - House: Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
