(a) (1) In the case of any inmate sentenced under Section 1168 for any offense of first or second degree murder with a maximum term of life imprisonment, the period of parole, if parole is granted, shall be the remainder of the inmate’s life.

(2) Notwithstanding any other law, in the case of any inmate sentenced to a life term under subdivision (b) of Section 209, if that offense was committed with the intent to commit a specified sexual offense, Section 269 or 288.7, subdivision (c) of Section 667.51, Section 667.71 in which one or more of the victims of the offense was a child under 14 years of age, or subdivision (j), (l), or (m) of Section 667.61, the period of parole, if parole is granted, shall be the remainder of the inmate’s life.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, when any person referred to in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) has been released on parole from the state prison, and has been on parole continuously for seven years in the case of any person imprisoned for first degree murder, and five years in the case of any person imprisoned for second degree murder, since release from confinement, the board shall, within 30 days, discharge that person from parole, unless the board, for good cause, determines that the person will be retained on parole. The board shall make a written record of its determination and transmit a copy of it to the parolee.

(c) In the event of a retention on parole pursuant to subdivision (b), the parolee shall be entitled to a review by the board each year thereafter.

(d) There shall be a hearing as provided in Sections 3041.5 and 3041.7 within 12 months of the date of any revocation of parole of a person referred to in subdivision (a) to consider the release of the inmate on parole and, notwithstanding paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 3041.5, there shall be annual parole consideration hearings thereafter, unless the person is released or otherwise ineligible for parole release. The panel or board shall release the person within one year of the date of the revocation unless it determines that the circumstances and gravity of the parole violation are such that consideration of the public safety requires a more lengthy period of incarceration or unless there is a new prison commitment following a conviction.

(e) The provisions of Section 3042 shall not apply to any hearing held pursuant to this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 280, Sec. 2. (AB 1438) Effective January 1, 2015.)