HI HB1981

Requires the Hawaii paroling authority to establish a medical release program enabling release of permanently and totally disabled, terminally ill, or geriatric inmates who do not pose a public safety risk.

Inmates must meet eligibility criteria including medical diagnosis by a licensed physician and incapacity to the extent they do not pose a public safety risk; persons convicted of class A or B felonies or sex offenses requiring registration are ineligible.

Department of public safety must assess and refer eligible inmates within 45 days based on requests from inmates, attorneys, family members, or internal recommendations, with paroling authority deciding within 15-20 days.

Released inmates must comply with conditions including adherence to medical release plan, medical provider requirements, supervision by paroling authority, and periodic physician assessments through their sentence expiration date.

Paroling authority may revoke medical release if inmate violates conditions or improves medically; revocation does not affect eligibility for other parole or release programs under law.