AL
Alabama House Bill HB299

Alabama 2024 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB299

Introduced
3/6/24  
Introduced
3/6/24  
Report Pass
4/17/24  
Refer
3/6/24  

Caption

Pardons and Paroles, requirements for release on parole further provided for, apply for appellate relief when parole denied in certain circumstances, require medical parole hearing held within a certain time frame, allow an inmate released on medical furlough place of residence

Impact

The implications of HB299 are substantial as it establishes rights for inmates denied parole, specifically ensuring that those over 60 or with serious health issues receive their cases reconsidered sooner. If an inmate is denied parole and the board does not provide an improvement plan, they must be reviewed within 90 days. Such measures aim to reduce overcrowding and enhance the humane treatment of vulnerable populations within the correctional system.

Summary

House Bill 299 introduces significant reforms to the parole system in Alabama, focusing on the considerations the Board of Pardons and Paroles must take when deciding whether to grant parole. Most notably, the bill requires that the board give weighted consideration to the health of an inmate during parole deliberations. It emphasizes the need for more humane treatment of inmates who are elderly or suffer from serious chronic health conditions, allowing for expedited hearings in such cases.

Contention

While the bill has merits, it has generated debates within legislative discussions. Proponents argue that the bill is necessary for protecting the rights of some of the most vulnerable inmates, while opponents may express concerns regarding public safety and the discretion granted to the Parole Board. Questions arise about how these reforms may impact the overall effectiveness of parole decisions, with some fearing it could lead to increased releases of inmates who may pose a risk.

Latest AL HB299 Activity

View All Events: AL 2024 Regular Session HB299

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AL SB56

Pardons and Paroles; medical parole revised; appellate review created; medical furlough release requirements revised

AL HB228

Relating to pardons and paroles; to amend Sections 15-22-26, 15-22-28, 15-22-37, and 15-22-43, Code of Alabama 1975, to require the Board of Pardons and Paroles to give weighted consideration to an inmate's age when determining whether to grant parole, to require the board to hold a rehearing once parole is denied for certain inmates, to provide for appellate relief for a prisoner with a serious chronic health condition who was denied parole in certain circumstances; to require the board to hold a medical parole hearing within a specified period of time of an inmate becoming eligible for medical parole; provide for appellate relief for an inmate who was denied medical parole; to amend Section 14-14-5, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide that an inmate released on medical furlough may reside in any state; to add Section 15-22-25.5 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to provide that an inmate may attend his or her parole hearing virtually; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

AL SB255

Pardons and Paroles; time frame for parole court extended

AL HB30

Pardons and Parole Board; Criminal Justice Policy Development Council created; provide for membership, duties; require use of parole release guidelines; parole proceedings revised; provide for appellate review

AL HB40

Pardons and Parole Board, to create the Criminal Justice Policy Development Council, membership, duties, require the board to use parole release guidelines, parole proceedings revised, provide for appellate review

AL SB2448

Special Care Facility for Paroled Inmates; authorize parole for medically frail inmates, licensure and Medicaid reimbursement.

AL SB324

Pardons and Paroles Board; increase members on board; further provide for selection of chair; parole consideration guidelines after denial of parole established

AL HB16

Relating to criminal justice; to create the Criminal Justice Policy Development Council; to specify the membership of the council; to specify the duties of the council; and to amend Section 15-22-26, Code of Alabama 1975, to require the Board of Pardons and Paroles to use parole release guidelines; to revise certain parole proceedings; and to provide appellate review of certain parole decisions.

AL SB157

Pardons and Paroles Board; allow inmates to participate in parole hearing virtually

AL SB312

Pardons and Paroles Board; allow inmates to participate in parole hearing virtually

Similar Bills

AL HB228

Relating to pardons and paroles; to amend Sections 15-22-26, 15-22-28, 15-22-37, and 15-22-43, Code of Alabama 1975, to require the Board of Pardons and Paroles to give weighted consideration to an inmate's age when determining whether to grant parole, to require the board to hold a rehearing once parole is denied for certain inmates, to provide for appellate relief for a prisoner with a serious chronic health condition who was denied parole in certain circumstances; to require the board to hold a medical parole hearing within a specified period of time of an inmate becoming eligible for medical parole; provide for appellate relief for an inmate who was denied medical parole; to amend Section 14-14-5, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide that an inmate released on medical furlough may reside in any state; to add Section 15-22-25.5 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to provide that an inmate may attend his or her parole hearing virtually; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

AL HB524

Pardons and Paroles; juvenile offenders serving life without parole; parole authorized following satisfaction of certain conditions

AL HB131

Relating to parole; to amend Section 15-22-28, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide that a prisoner is not eligible for parole of he or she has been duly charged with a new offense that has not been disposed.

AL SB97

Relating to parole; to amend Section 15-22-28, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide that a prisoner is not eligible for parole of he or she has been duly charged with a new offense that has not been disposed.

AL SB56

Pardons and Paroles; medical parole revised; appellate review created; medical furlough release requirements revised

AL SB245

Parole, to further provide for parole eligibility of offenders convicted of manslaughter in certain circumstances, Sec. 15-22-28 am'd.

AL SB248

Relating to pardons and paroles; to add Article 1A, commencing with Section 15-22-10.01 to Chapter 22 of Title 15, Code of Alabama 1975, to reconstitute the Board of Pardons and Paroles as the Bureau of Pardons and Paroles; to reorganize the functions and duties of the bureau and to provide for the duties of the Board of Pardons and Paroles within the bureau; to transfer certain language relating to pardons and paroles to a new article within the Code of Alabama 1975; to specify the duties and responsibilities of the Director of the Bureau of Pardons and Paroles and to provide for the personnel of the bureau; to amend 15-18-71, 15-18-72, 15-18-74, 15-18-76, 15-18-77, 15-22-42, 15-22-43, 15-22-51, 15-22-53, and Section 15-22-54, as corrected by Act 2022-371, the Codification Act, 2022 Regular Session, and Sections 15-22-56 and 15-22-57, Code of Alabama 1975, to delete duplicative language; to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style; to amend Sections 12-17-184, 14-1-22, 14-1-23, 14-14-5, 15-18-176, 15-20A-48, 15-22-111, 15-22-112, Section 15-22-113, as last amended by Act 2022-382, 2022 Regular Session, Sections 15-22-115, 15-23-79, and 17-3-31, Code of Alabama 1975, to update relevant cross-references in existing law; and to repeal Sections 15-22-20, 15-22-21, 15-22-21.1, 15-22-22, 15-22-23, 15-22-24, 15-22-25, 15-22-26, 15-22-26.1, 15-22-26.2, 15-22-27, 15-22-27.1, 15-22-27.2, 15-22-27.3, 15-22-27.4, 15-22-28, 15-22-29, 15-22-29.1, 15-22-30, 15-22-30.1, 15-22-30.2, 15-22-31, 15-22-32, 15-22-33, 15-22-34, 15-22-35, 15-22-36, 15-22-36.1, 15-22-36.2, 15-22-36.3, 15-22-37, 15-22-38, 15-22-39, and 15-22-40, Code of Alabama 1975.

AL HB391

Relating to pardons and paroles; to add Article 1A, commencing with Section 15-22-10.01 to Chapter 22 of Title 15, Code of Alabama 1975, to reconstitute the Board of Pardons and Paroles as the Bureau of Pardons and Paroles; to reorganize the functions and duties of the bureau and to provide for the duties of the Board of Pardons and Paroles within the bureau; to transfer certain language relating to pardons and paroles to a new article within the Code of Alabama 1975; to specify the duties and responsibilities of the Director of the Bureau of Pardons and Paroles and to provide for the personnel of the bureau; to amend 15-18-71, 15-18-72, 15-18-74, 15-18-76, 15-18-77, 15-22-42, 15-22-43, 15-22-51, 15-22-53, and Section 15-22-54, as corrected by Act 2022-371, the Codification Act, 2022 Regular Session, and Sections 15-22-56 and 15-22-57, Code of Alabama 1975, to delete duplicative language; to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style; to amend Sections 12-17-184, 14-1-22, 14-1-23, 14-14-5, 15-18-176, 15-20A-48, 15-22-111, 15-22-112, Section 15-22-113, as last amended by Act 2022-382, 2022 Regular Session, Sections 15-22-115, 15-23-79, and 17-3-31, Code of Alabama 1975, to update relevant cross-references in existing law; and to repeal Sections 15-22-20, 15-22-21, 15-22-21.1, 15-22-22, 15-22-23, 15-22-24, 15-22-25, 15-22-26, 15-22-26.1, 15-22-26.2, 15-22-27, 15-22-27.1, 15-22-27.2, 15-22-27.3, 15-22-27.4, 15-22-28, 15-22-29, 15-22-29.1, 15-22-30, 15-22-30.1, 15-22-30.2, 15-22-31, 15-22-32, 15-22-33, 15-22-34, 15-22-35, 15-22-36, 15-22-36.1, 15-22-36.2, 15-22-36.3, 15-22-37, 15-22-38, 15-22-39, and 15-22-40, Code of Alabama 1975.