HB 768 -- Sentence Completion Requirements (CORRECTED)

Sponsor:  Keeven

The bill makes several changes related to criminal law. The bill:

(1) Adds armed criminal action, causing catastrophe, felonious
restraint, voluntary manslaughter, drug trafficking in the first
degree, burglary, the attempt to commit any of these felonies,
or having 2 prior convictions or guilty pleas to felony offenses
to the crimes that are dangerous felonies;

(2) Requires persons convicted of a dangerous felony to serve
100% of their sentence. Current law requires 85%;

(3) Increases the minimum amount of time a person who is
convicted of a felony other than a dangerous felony is required
to serve in prison, including requiring these offenders to serve
life in prison, without possibility of parole, probation, or
conditional release, if the offender has at least 2 previous
remands to the Department of Corrections;

(4) Requires all offenders incarcerated in a facility of the
Department of Corrections to participate in a labor program.
The department is allowed to excuse certain offenders.
Offenders who refuse to participate may not receive sentence
credit for good behavior;

(5) Prohibits prosecutors from plea bargaining with defendants
who have committed dangerous felonies or with defendants who
have been convicted of 2 or more prior offenses; and

(6) Creates a 10-member Criminal Justice Commission to study
sentencing policies, prison work programs, community service
programs, death penalty procedures, offender educational and
rehabilitation programs, probation and parole guidelines, and
the use of closed military bases as prisons. The bill requires
the Office of State Courts Administrator to provide staffing
resources for the commission.