H.B. 350 Summary

• Establishes a medical release program allowing the Hawaii Paroling Authority to release inmates who are permanently and totally disabled, terminally ill, or geriatric and do not pose a public safety risk.

• Defines eligibility criteria: inmates must be diagnosed by a licensed physician as permanently and totally disabled, terminally ill (with expected death within six months), or geriatric (age 65+ with chronic conditions), and must be incapacitated to the extent they pose no risk to public safety.

• Excludes inmates convicted of murder, attempted murder, class A or B felonies, or offenses requiring registration under chapter 846E from medical release eligibility.

• Requires the Department of Public Safety to assess inmates and refer eligible cases to the paroling authority within 45 days, and requires the paroling authority to decide within 15 days for terminally ill inmates and 20 days for permanently disabled or geriatric inmates.

• Imposes conditions on medical release including compliance with an approved medical care plan, cooperation with medical providers, submission to supervision, and periodic physician assessments through the date the inmate's sentence would have expired.