HI HB255

Establishes a three-year medical release pilot project administered by the Department of Public Safety to allow early release of ill, disabled, or geriatric inmates who pose a low risk to public safety.

Inmates may be considered for medical release if they have a terminal illness with death expected within one year, a seriously debilitating irreversible condition manageable in the community, or a serious age-related condition requiring complex care.

Requests for medical release may be initiated by the department director, inmate, or inmate's representative and must be evaluated by the Hawaii Paroling Authority within specified timeframes, with hearings held within ten days of receiving a medical release report.

Medical release determinations require independent assessment of medical criteria by department physicians and independent risk assessment by the paroling authority, with consideration of victim input and prosecuting attorney participation.

Released inmates remain under paroling authority supervision until their original sentence expiration date and must comply with reasonable conditions; violations result in revocation and return to custody to complete remaining sentence.