HI HB255

Establishes a medical release program allowing inmates to be released before their sentence expires if they have a serious medical condition and do not pose a significant risk to public safety.

Eligible inmates must have a terminal illness with prognosis of death within six months, a seriously debilitating condition that cannot be treated in prison, or such impaired cognitive/functional ability that they cannot participate in rehabilitation.

Medical release requests can be initiated by the director, an inmate, or an inmate's immediate family member, with the Hawaii paroling authority conducting a hearing within ten days and making a final decision within two days.

Released inmates remain under paroling authority supervision through the end of their original sentence term and must comply with reasonable conditions of release; violation results in return to custody to serve remaining sentence time.

Takes effect July 1, 2050.