MD HB1123

Removes the requirement for gubernatorial approval of Maryland Parole Commission decisions to grant medical parole to individuals serving life sentences, allowing Commission decisions to take effect without a 180-day Governor review period

Expands medical parole eligibility criteria to include individuals who are chronically debilitated or incapacitated, or who have a terminal illness, and whose health care needs would be better met by community services

Creates a new geriatric parole process for incarcerated individuals who are at least 65 years old, have served at least 20 years, are not sex offenders, have no Category 1A disciplinary infractions in the past 3 years, and are serving parole-eligible sentences

Requires the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to submit names of eligible geriatric parole candidates to the Commission on an ongoing basis, with the Commission conducting risk assessments and parole hearings within 60 days of receiving names

Authorizes the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board to recommend that savings be distributed to the Maryland Parole Commission for hiring psychologists to perform risk assessments of geriatric parole candidates, effective October 1, 2025