Bill > H1798

This bill aims to reform parole supervision in the interest of justice. It makes several key changes: 1. It clarifies that parole conditions must be reasonably related to the crime of conviction and no more restrictive than necessary to ensure the parolee can live safely in the community. It prohibits certain overly broad conditions, such as blanket bans on associating with others or using alcohol/drugs. 2. It requires the Parole Board to provide support to parolees in enrolling in required programs and states that good-faith efforts to enroll shall not be grounds for a violation. 3. It limits the Parole Board's ability to revoke parole solely for technical violations that do not result in a new conviction, especially those related to substance use disorder or disabilities. 4. It creates a presumption of parole termination after 3 years without any new criminal violations, unless the Parole Board finds clear and convincing evidence that continued parole is necessary for public safety. 5. It revises the parole violation process, requiring the Parole Board to hold an initial hearing to determine probable cause before scheduling a final hearing, and prohibiting the Board from issuing warrants to detain parolees pending the final hearing.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1798