Bill > H3457

This bill makes several key changes to the parole process in Massachusetts: 1. It increases the size of the parole board from seven to nine members, and requires that at least three of those members have at least five years of experience in fields like psychiatry, psychology, social work, or substance use disorder treatment, with at least one being a licensed mental health professional. 2. It requires the parole board to use structured, evidence-based parole guidelines and a validated risk/needs assessment tool when making parole decisions, which must consider factors like the prisoner's participation in work, education, and treatment programs, as well as their behavior and parole plan. 3. It mandates that the parole board consider whether reasonable accommodations can enable a prisoner with a disability to live successfully on parole, and requires a psychological or medical examination if a disability may pose a risk. 4. It establishes timelines and requirements for the parole board's decision-making process, including public availability of the guidelines and assessment tool, and detailed written explanations for parole denials. 5. It expands parole eligibility for certain life sentences, requiring public hearings and decisions by a majority of the full parole board. 6. It requires the parole board to make available to prisoners or their representatives any information provided to the board, with limited exceptions to protect confidentiality.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H3457