SB56 Summary

• Modifies medical parole eligibility requirements for geriatric inmates (age 65+), permanently incapacitated inmates, and terminally ill inmates, requiring a minimum of 25 years served and meeting specified medical criteria.

• Requires the Board of Pardons and Paroles to hold a medical parole hearing within 90 days of receiving an eligible inmate's information from the Department of Corrections.

• Establishes appellate review process allowing inmates denied medical parole to appeal to circuit court within 42 days, with de novo review and right of appeal to the court of criminal appeals.

• Modifies medical furlough eligibility to require inmates be at least 65 years old with 25 years served, and permits inmates released on medical furlough to reside in any state rather than only Alabama or contiguous states.

• Reduces the decision timeline for medical furlough from 60 days to 30 days, and shortens the required release timeline from 90 days to 75 days after receipt of a completed application.

• Effective date: October 1, 2025.