House Bill No. 245, introduced by Representative Fontenot, amends existing laws regarding medical parole and medical treatment furloughs. The bill mandates that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) committee on parole must provide written notice to the district attorney of the convicting parish, the attorney general, and the victim or the next of kin of a deceased victim at least 90 days prior to a parole hearing and at least 30 days before a hearing on medical parole or medical treatment furlough. This change aims to ensure that relevant parties are adequately informed and can participate in the parole process.

Additionally, the bill modifies the eligibility criteria for parole by including medical parole and medical treatment furlough as exceptions to the general ineligibility rule for individuals committed for offenses after August 1, 2024. The amendments to R.S. 15:574.2(D)(8)(a) and (D)(9)(a)(i) and R.S. 15:574.22 reflect these changes, enhancing the rights of victims and ensuring that the parole process is more transparent and inclusive.

Statutes affected:
HB245 Original: 15:2(D)(8)
HB245 Engrossed: 15:2(D)(8)