The bill amends Sections 15-22-20 and 15-22-37 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to increase the membership of the Board of Pardons and Paroles from three to five members. It introduces new provisions for selecting the board's chair, who will now be elected from among the members by December 1 of each even-numbered year, rather than being appointed by the Governor. Additionally, the bill requires that at least two members have a minimum of ten years' experience in law enforcement, promoting diversity within the board. The process for filling vacancies has been revised to include a nominating committee composed of the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, ensuring a more structured appointment process.

Furthermore, the bill establishes new guidelines for the parole consideration process, focusing on an inmate's criminal history and program completion to assess the likelihood of reoffending. It sets specific timelines for parole reconsideration based on the nature of the offense, allowing inmates serving sentences of 20 years or less for nonviolent offenses to be reconsidered no more than two years after a denial. The bill also modifies provisions related to the supervision and treatment of parolees, including criteria for discharging them from supervision early if they meet certain conditions. It mandates the posting of existing rules on the board's website and tasks the Governor with appointing two additional board members by January 1, 2026, with the act taking effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 15-22-20, 15-22-37
Engrossed: 15-22-20, 15-22-37