An Act relative to life without parole
Generates a plain-language summary of the bill text and history.
| Date | Branch | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 3/26/2026 | House | Accompanied a study order, see H5281↗ (under House Rule 27) |
| — | House | Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order |
| 10/20/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 06/03/2025 from 01:00 PM-09:00 PM in A-2 |
| 5/29/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 06/03/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2 |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on The Judiciary |
No additional cosponsors.
| Committee | Recommendation | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| J19 | Accompanied | — |
Section 133A of chapter 127 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the words "for whom the court determined that they shall not be eligible for parole" after the words "at the time of the murder".
Section 133B of chapter 127 of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking the words "subsection (e) of" in the final paragraph.
Section 2 of chapter 265 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking the words "shall not be eligible for parole pursuant to section 133A of chapter 127" and inserting in place thereof the following:- "may be eligible for parole after a term of years fixed by the court pursuant to section 24 of chapter 279; provided that the court shall set said term of years at no fewer than 35 years; and provided further, that the court may determine that the person shall not be eligible for parole".
Section 24 of chapter 279 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence to the end of the first paragraph:- In the case of a sentence for murder in the first degree committed by a person on or after the person's eighteenth birthday, the court either shall set a minimum term which shall be not less than 35 years or shall determine that the person shall not be eligible for parole.
Section 25 of chapter 279 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the words "; provided, however, that the court may set parole eligibility at 35 years or greater for a person who would otherwise face a life sentence without eligibility for parole under the provisions of this section;" after the words "enumerated in clause (i)" and after the words "person's sentence for good conduct."
This Act shall apply to persons sentenced after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 1. Section 133A of chapter 127 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the words "for whom the court determined that they shall not be eligible for parole" after the words "at the time of the murder". SECTION 2. Section 133B of chapter 127 of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking the words "subsection (e) of" in the final paragraph. SECTION 3. Section 2 of chapter 265 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking the words "shall not be eligible for parole pursuant to section 133A of chapter 127" and inserting in place thereof the following:- "may be eligible for parole after a term of years fixed by the court pursuant to section 24 of chapter 279; provided that the court shall set said term of years at no fewer than 35 years; and provided further, that the court may determine that the person shall not be eligible for parole". SECTION 4. Section 24 of chapter 279 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence to the end of the first paragraph:- In the case of a sentence for murder in the first degree committed by a person on or after the person's eighteenth birthday, the court either shall set a minimum term which shall be not less than 35 years or shall determine that the person shall not be eligible for parole. SECTION 5. Section 25 of chapter 279 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the words "; provided, however, that the court may set parole eligibility at 35 years or greater for a person who would otherwise face a life sentence without eligibility for parole under the provisions of this section;" after the words "enumerated in clause (i)" and after the words "person's sentence for good conduct." SECTION 6. This Act shall apply to persons sentenced after the effective date of this Act.