---
title: SB 25. Pardons and Paroles; procedures when a person is denied parole after completing certain prerequisites; provide
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sb25
cite_as: SB 25, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb25
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb25.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb25/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69479
date: 2025-01-27
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 95
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb25.md?full=1
bill_number: SB 25
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2025-01-17
last_action: Senate Read and Referred
sponsors:
- Josh McLaurin
- Harold Jones
- Kim Jackson
- Elena Parent
- Sonya Halpern
- Nan Orrock
- Jason Esteves
- Michael Rhett
- Sheikh Rahman
- Gail Davenport
- Donzella James
- Freddie Sims
- Nikki Merritt
- RaShaun Kemp
- Randal Mangham
- Ed Harbison
- Sally Harrell
- Emanuel Jones
- Kenya Wicks
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SB25/2025
upstream_id: 1929217
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- parole procedures
- criminal justice
- prisoner rights
- Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles
---
# SB 25. Pardons and Paroles; procedures when a person is denied parole after completing certain prerequisites; provide
## Text
Senate Bill 25
By: Senators McLaurin of the 14th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Parent of the
44th, Halpern of the 39th and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 2 of Chapter 9 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to grants of pardons, paroles, and other relief, so as to provide for procedures when
a person is denied parole after completing certain prerequisites; to provide for a video
conference hearing where prospective parolees can be heard and seek information from the
board; to provide that the board submit written findings if the tentative parole month is
delayed; to provide notice to members of the board when a majority votes to deny or delay
release; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Article 2 of Chapter 9 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
grants of pardons, paroles, and other relief, is amended by adding a new Code section to read
as follows:
"42-9-43.2.
(a) If any offender has accumulated the maximum number of credits available under any
performance incentive program provided by the Department of Corrections, or if such
offender is serving a sentence of life imprisonment and is being considered or reconsidered
for parole, such offender may request:
(1) A video conference at least 30 days in advance of the tentative parole date with all
members of the board before any decision can be made on parole, in which the offender
has a reasonable opportunity to present information and questions to the board regarding:
(A) The nature of the offense, including any procedural matters relating to the
conviction and sentencing of such offense;
(B) The conduct and completion of programming while the offender was incarcerated;
(C) Community ties and other support for the offender;
(D) The victim or victim's family or other individuals that would be affected by the
offender's release; and
(E) The position of the prosecuting attorney and the court regarding the offender's case;
and
(2) Written findings of fact, including the queries provided in paragraph (1) of this
subsection, that provide the basis for the board's decision to deny parole or delay such
offender's tentative parole release month, and provide on the record:
(A) Any affiliates or representatives of the offender that the board contacted and
received information from regarding the offender's prospective release;
(B) Any affiliates or representatives of the victim or victims that the board contacted
and received information from regarding the offender's prospective release; and
(C) Whether such contact was made telephonically, electronically, or in person.
(b) In any case where three members of the board have tentatively decided to deny parole
or delay the tentative parole month, the other two members shall be notified of the tentative
decision and given 14 days to hold the decision before it is issued. During such time such
two members may discuss the decision with the other members of the board, and the
majority who tentatively decided to deny parole or delay the tentative parole month shall,
within their discretion, have the opportunity to change their votes.
(c) All duties prescribed in subsection (a) of this Code section are nondiscretionary and
shall be subject to the provisions of Code Section 9-6-20."
SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
Senate Bill 25 would give Georgia inmates who complete rehabilitation programs or are serving life sentences new rights before a parole denial, including a video hearing with the full Parole Board and written reasons for any denial.
### Plain-language summary
Under current Georgia law, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles can deny or delay someone's parole without giving that person a chance to speak directly to the board or a detailed written explanation. This bill changes that for a specific group: offenders who have earned the maximum credits under a Department of Corrections performance incentive program, or offenders serving a life sentence being considered for parole.
Those offenders could request a video conference with all board members at least 30 days before their tentative parole date, where they can ask questions and present information about their case, programming, community ties, and the views of victims and prosecutors. If parole is denied or delayed, the board would have to issue written findings explaining its reasoning and disclose who it contacted for information. The bill also requires the board to notify all five members and pause for 14 days if three members tentatively vote to deny or delay parole, giving members a chance to reconsider. These duties would be mandatory (nondiscretionary) and enforceable in court under Georgia's mandamus law (O.C.G.A. § 9-6-20).
### What it does
- Creates a new Code section (42-9-43.2) letting eligible offenders request a video conference with the full Parole Board before a parole decision is finalized.
- Requires the board to let offenders ask questions and present information on their offense, programming, community support, victim input, and prosecutor and court positions.
- Requires the board to issue written findings of fact when it denies parole or delays the tentative parole release month, including who it contacted for information.
- Requires notice to all board members and a 14-day hold period when three of five members tentatively vote to deny or delay parole, allowing votes to change.
- Makes these procedures mandatory rather than optional and ties them to Georgia's mandamus enforcement law (O.C.G.A. § 9-6-20).
### Who it affects
Georgia inmates who have maxed out performance incentive credits from the Department of Corrections or who are serving life sentences and up for parole, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, victims and their families, prosecuting attorneys, and courts involved in the underlying criminal cases.
### Why it matters
Eligible inmates would gain a direct chance to speak to the full board and receive a written explanation if denied parole, changes that could affect how and when some long-serving or program-completing offenders are released, and could add procedural steps and potential court involvement for the Parole Board.
### Key provisions
- Section 1 adds Code Section 42-9-43.2, defining eligible offenders as those with maximum performance incentive credits or those serving life sentences under parole review.
- Subsection (a)(1) grants a right to a video conference with all board members at least 30 days before the tentative parole date to discuss five specific topics.
- Subsection (a)(2) requires written findings of fact justifying any denial or delay, including disclosure of contacts made with offender or victim representatives.
- Subsection (b) requires notifying all board members and holding a tentative denial or delay decision for 14 days if three members vote for it, allowing votes to change.
- Subsection (c) makes these duties nondiscretionary and enforceable under Georgia's mandamus statute (O.C.G.A. § 9-6-20).
- Section 2 repeals conflicting laws.
## Status
- Status: Introduced (2025-01-17)
- Last action: Senate Read and Referred (2025-01-27)
- Sponsors: Josh McLaurin, Harold Jones, Kim Jackson, Elena Parent, Sonya Halpern, Nan Orrock, Jason Esteves, Michael Rhett, Sheikh Rahman, Gail Davenport, Donzella James, Freddie Sims, Nikki Merritt, RaShaun Kemp, Randal Mangham, Ed Harbison, Sally Harrell, Emanuel Jones, Kenya Wicks
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69479
> The history, votes, and amendments (95 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb25.md?full=1