Bill > H2503

This bill aims to promote equitable access to parole. Key provisions include: 1. Requiring that at least four of the nine parole board members have experience in fields like psychiatry, psychology, social work, or substance use disorder treatment, and that one member be someone directly impacted by incarceration or parole. 2. Mandating public parole hearings no later than 90 days before a person's parole eligibility date, with a panel of at least five board members present. 3. Allowing parole to be granted at a person's first eligibility date unless there is clear evidence they would violate the law if released, and considering factors like the person's participation in programs and their parole plan. 4. Requiring parole hearings to be recorded and decisions to be publicly available, with reasons for denials and dissenting opinions included. 5. Prohibiting parole revocation for non-criminal violations or substance use disorder relapses, unless certain conditions are met. 6. Requiring the parole board to collect and publish data on parole decisions, including demographic information, to identify and address disparities. 7. Expanding the types of services the parole board must consider for a successful community re-entry, such as housing, mental health, and substance use treatment.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H2503