Bill > H3121

This bill amends several sections of Massachusetts law related to the parole board. Key provisions include: 1. Increasing the size of the parole board from seven to nine members, with at least three members having experience in fields like psychiatry, psychology, social work, or substance use disorder treatment, including one licensed mental health professional. 2. Requiring the parole board to grant parole at a prisoner's first parole eligibility date and subsequent review hearings unless they determine by clear and convincing evidence that the prisoner would not be able to live at liberty without violating the law, using structured, evidence-based parole guidelines and a validated risk assessment tool. 3. Specifying the information the parole board must consider, such as the prisoner's participation in work, education, and treatment programs, and whether reasonable accommodations can enable a prisoner with a disability to succeed on parole. 4. Mandating transparency around the parole guidelines, risk assessment tools, and decision-making process, including public reporting and validation of the tools every five years. 5. Limiting the parole board's ability to revoke parole for technical violations unless intermediate sanctions have been ineffective or less severe sanctions are inconsistent with public safety. 6. Expanding data collection and reporting requirements related to parole decisions.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H3121