House File 2064, which takes effect July 1, allows the Iowa Board of Parole to release nonviolent drug offenders who have served at least half of their mandatory minimum sentence.
The new law also gives judges leeway in determining how much of their sentences defendants convicted of second-degree robbery and some nonviolent drug offenses must serve before becoming eligible for parole.
The reform law is expected to have a greater effect on minorities, particularly African-Americans, who make up a disproportionate share of Iowa's prison population. About 120 of offenders who may be considered for early release are black, according to a state report.
