MD HB1156

Maryland Parole Commission membership increases from 10 to between 15 and 20 members, with commissioners appointed by the Governor from nominees selected by a 12-member panel including law enforcement, public defenders, state's attorneys, service providers, and prisoners' rights advocates

Hearing examiner positions are eliminated entirely, transferring all parole hearing responsibilities directly to the Commission; funds previously budgeted for hearing examiner salaries are to be re-budgeted for commissioner salaries

The nomination panel requirement applies only to initial commissioner appointments, not to reappointments of sitting commissioners whose initial terms began through the panel process

Cases for parole or administrative release will now be heard exclusively by commissioner panels rather than through the previous system where hearing examiners could conduct certain hearings subject to Commission review

Effective date is October 1, 2025