Bill > SB56

This bill revises Alabama's medical parole and medical furlough laws for inmates, making several significant changes. The legislation modifies definitions for geriatric, permanently incapacitated, and terminally ill inmates, raising the age threshold to 65 years and establishing more specific criteria for medical release. For medical parole, the Board of Pardons and Paroles must now establish a medical parole docket and consider inmates who are 65 or older, have served at least 25 years, and meet specific medical conditions. The bill introduces a new appellate review process, allowing inmates whose medical parole is denied to appeal the decision within 42 days to the circuit court of their last conviction. Additionally, the Department of Corrections must provide monthly lists of eligible inmates to the board, and the board must hold a medical parole hearing within 90 days of receiving these lists. The legislation also expands medical furlough eligibility criteria and requires the commissioner to develop detailed discharge plans, consult with various agencies, and conduct biannual medical evaluations for released inmates. Importantly, the bill does not apply to inmates convicted of capital murder, sex offenses, or those sentenced to life without parole. The changes aim to provide a more comprehensive and compassionate approach to releasing medically vulnerable inmates while maintaining public safety considerations.

Justice

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