S.C.R. 193 - Medical/Compassionate Release Pilot Program

• Requests the Department of Public Safety and Hawaii Paroling Authority to establish a two-year pilot program for medical or compassionate release of ill, disabled, and geriatric inmates who pose low risk to public safety.

• Establishes eligibility criteria for medical release including inmates with terminal illnesses (prognosis of death within one year), seriously debilitating irreversible conditions, or age-related conditions requiring costly complex care that impair functional ability.

• Requires medical release requests to include written physician reports with diagnoses and prognoses, Department of Public Safety risk assessments for violence and recidivism, and continuity-of-care plans.

• Mandates Hawaii Paroling Authority conduct hearings within ten days of receiving medical release reports, with inmate and victim participation rights, and authority to deny release if inmate poses danger to society.

• Requires Department of Public Safety and Hawaii Paroling Authority to report findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2016 Regular Session convening.