HB 1709 -- Parole Sponsor: Jolly This bill clarifies that felons convicted prior to June 27, 2003, are not eligible to petition the sentencing court for early release. That date was the effective date of Senate Bill 5 passed in 2003, which allowed persons with no prior prison commitment who have been convicted of a nonviolent C or D felony to petition the court for early release after having served at least 120 days in prison. The bill contains an emergency clause.