Texas House Bill 686 will allow for the possibility of parole for juveniles convicted of an offense committed when they were 18 years and younger. There's a population of incarcerated people in Texas who were convicted as juveniles but aren't eligible for parole. TX HB 686 will allow these juveniles to be considered for parole, particularly those formerly on Death Row and/or serving a life sentence without the possibility of Parole. 

Recently the HB 686 was amended to lower the juvenile age from 18 to 17. While this is a small change, and 18 is informally understood as the age representing the transition from childhood to adulthood, this process does not occur once one's 18th birthday comes and goes. Rather 18 years of age is a fluid point where this transition from childhood to adulthood begins, and this period of transition continues to take place a few years after 18. 

Supporting the ORIGINAL HB 686 offers more flexibility and possibility to those defined by a crime committed at 18 and offer a chance to finally live their life. This bill is important because Nanon Williams was 18 when he was wrongfully convicted and placed on Death Row. While Nanon is no longer on Death Row, he currently remains incarcerated without the possibility for Parole. Supporting the ORIGINAL HB 686 bill may be the last hope for Nanon to return home to his family and achieve his dream of being a professor and a lifelong mentor to the youth. If you will like to learn more about Nanon Williams and his case, visit (www.nanonwilliams.net or watch this Youtube video.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Feel free to email or tweet to Texas Senator John Whitmire (john.whitmire@senate.texas.gov) stating that you support HB 686 ONLY IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM. 

DEADLINE: Saturday, May 29th, 11:59 PM EST; the amendment will be voted on Sunday, May 30th.