2025 -- H 5180
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LC000619
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
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A N A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINALS -- CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS -- PAROLE
Introduced By: Representatives Cruz, Craven, Dawson, McEntee, Solomon, J. Brien,
Diaz, Kislak, Ajello, and Morales
Date Introduced: January 24, 2025
Referred To: House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 13-8-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 13-8 entitled "Parole" is 1
hereby amended to read as follows: 2
13-8-2. Qualifications of board members. 3
The seven (7) electors to be named by the governor shall have the following qualifications: 4
(1)(i) One of the qualified electors shall be a psychologist or a physician who is 5
professionally qualified in the field of psychiatry or neurology; 6
(ii) One shall be a member in good standing of the Rhode Island bar; 7
(iii) One shall be a person who is professionally trained in correctional work or in some 8
closely related general field as a social work; and 9
(iv) One shall be a law enforcement officer; and 10
(v) One shall be a person formerly incarcerated or directly impacted by the criminal legal 11
system who has completed the probation and parole process three (3) or more years prior with a 12
background in one of the following areas: psychology, mental health and/or substance use, 13
transitional housing, re-entry after incarceration, education or law. 14
(2) All of the qualified electors shall be individuals who shall also have shown an interest 15
in social welfare problems. 16
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 1
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINALS -- CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS -- PAROLE
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This act would require one elector of the parole board to be a person directly impacted by 1
the criminal justice system who has completed the probation/parole process three (3) or more years 2
prior to selection with a professional background in certain enumerated areas. 3
This act would take effect upon passage. 4
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