The bill amends the Corrections Code of 1953 by revising the parole process and adding new provisions regarding the rights of victims and individuals affected by violent crimes. It establishes that the parole board has the sole authority to grant parole, which must be based on an evaluation of the prisoner according to established guidelines. The bill specifies that a prisoner must not be denied parole without an interview, except in cases where the parole board determines a low probability of parole. Additionally, it outlines the factors that cannot be considered in parole determinations, such as a prisoner's marital history or prior arrests that did not result in conviction.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new section (35a) that allows "qualified individuals," defined as those who have experienced lasting psychological harm from witnessing a crime of violence, to receive notice of parole hearings and submit written statements to the parole board. These statements will be considered similarly to victim statements under existing crime victim rights laws. The bill also includes provisions for medical parole for prisoners deemed medically frail, detailing the conditions and requirements for such parole, including the necessity for electronic monitoring in certain cases. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the parole process while ensuring the rights of victims and addressing the needs of medically frail prisoners.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 791.235