Under existing law, the Board of Pardons and Paroles is required to consider parole release guidelines in determining whether to grant or deny parole. This bill would require the Board of Pardons and Paroles to give weighted consideration to the health of an inmate in making its parole decision. Under existing law, when a prisoner who has been convicted of a nonviolent offense with a sentence of 20 years or less is denied parole, the board shall reconsider releasing the prisoner on parole no more than two years after the parole release denial. This bill would provide that when a prisoner who has served at least 10 years of his or her sentence and has reached the age of 60 is denied parole, the board shall reconsider releasing the prisoner on parole no more than two years after the denial of parole and shall provide the inmate with a detailed plan to improve the chances he or she will be granted parole at the next hearing. This bill would provide that if the board fails to provide a detailed plan to the prisoner, he or she shall be provided a new parole hearing within 90 days of the denial. This bill would provide appellate relief for a prisoner with a serious chronic health condition who was denied parole in certain circumstances. Under existing law, inmates that meet certain criteria may be considered for medical parole. This bill would require the board to hold a medical parole hearing within 30 days of an inmate becoming eligible for medical parole. This bill would provide for appellate relief for an inmate who was denied medical parole. This bill would authorize an inmate released on medical furlough to reside in any state. This bill would also make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 15-22-28, 15-22-37, 15-22-43, 14-14-5