An Act relative to life without parole

This bill modifies sentencing laws for first-degree murder in Massachusetts to allow judges more flexibility in determining whether a defendant faces life without parole or a long fixed-term sentence. It requires that for offenders aged 18 or older at the time of the crime, courts must set a minimum prison term of at least 35 years or explicitly decide that the person will never be eligible for parole. The changes apply only to individuals sentenced after the law takes effect, ensuring that those currently serving life without parole sentences are not impacted by these new provisions.