Legislation authored by a local lawmaker that would change the parole process for violent offenders is one step closer to becoming a law.
State Rep. Aaron Bernstine’s (R-10th) House Bill 1855 also known as Markie’s Law has passed through the state House of Representatives. The bill is named in memory of 8-year-old Mark Edward Mason who was stabbed and killed by Keith Burley in Lawrence County during a domestic dispute shortly after Burley had been released from prison.
Bernstine’s proposal would postpone consideration of a violent inmate’s parole an additional 24 months following the inmate’s minimum release date for each conviction for a violent offense while incarcerated. The legislation would also postpone consideration for parole an additional 12 months for an attempted escape, smuggling of contraband, or retaliation against a witness while incarcerated.
The bill next moves to the state Senate where local lawmaker Elder Vogel is expected to help the legislation be approved.
