MA S1128

Expands the Massachusetts parole board to 9 members with 5-year terms, requiring at least 3 members have 5+ years experience in psychiatry, psychology, social work, or substance use treatment, including one licensed mental health professional

Requires 1 board member to be a formerly incarcerated person who successfully completed parole at least 3 years prior, with background in psychology, mental health, substance use, transitional housing, re-entry, public safety, or law

Mandates parole conditions be individualized to each person and their specific crime, supported by clear and convincing evidence of rehabilitative effect or public safety benefit based on current recidivism research

Requires comprehensive data collection and annual publication of parole statistics disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and gender, including violations, revocations, hearing timelines, and technical violation returns to custody

Establishes hearing timeline requirements: public hearings before a 6-member panel must occur no later than 90 days before parole eligibility, with detailed written decisions issued at least 30 days before eligibility date, including specific guidance for denied applicants