HB 629 Summary

• Creates a medical release program within the Department of Public Safety allowing inmates with terminal illness, seriously debilitating conditions, severe cognitive impairment, or complex medical needs to be released early if they pose low risk to public safety.

• Establishes procedures for medical release requests initiated by the director, inmate, or inmate's representative, requiring written evaluation by department physicians, risk assessment, and a continuity-of-care plan.

• Requires the Hawaii Paroling Authority to conduct hearings within 10 days of receiving medical release reports and decide within 2 days following the hearing; permits victim participation in the hearing process.

• Sets conditions for medical release including supervision by the paroling authority, home visits by department personnel, and compliance with release conditions through the original sentence expiration date.

• Allows revocation of medical release if an inmate violates release conditions, requiring the inmate to resume serving the remaining sentence balance with credit only for compliant time served; takes effect March 1, 2020.