AL HB40

Creates the Criminal Justice Policy Development Council composed of the Attorney General, legislative judiciary committee chairs, minority party legislators, and representatives from corrections, pardons and paroles, prosecution services, and crime victims advocacy groups to develop validated risk assessments and parole guidelines by October 1, 2027.

Requires the Board of Pardons and Paroles to use parole release guidelines created by the council and to assess inmate risk of reoffending, progress in rehabilitation programs, victim input, institutional behavior, and offense severity when making parole decisions.

Mandates the board provide written detailed explanations to inmates when deviating from parole release guidelines, with the board's paramount duty remaining protection of public safety.

Grants inmates the right to appeal parole denials involving deviations from guidelines to the Court of Criminal Appeals within 30 days, with appellate decisions being final.

Takes effect June 1, 2025, with the council dissolving January 1, 2028 after completing its policy development work.