SB-0941 Summary

• Parole board shall interview prisoners serving first-degree murder or life without parole sentences after 10 calendar years and thereafter as determined appropriate until granted reprieve, commutation, pardon, or death.

• Parole board must conduct merit review within 60 days of application, notify sentencing judge and prosecuting attorney within 10 days, and complete full investigation and public hearing determination within 270 days.

• Public hearing must be held at least 90 days after decision to proceed, with notice given at least 30 days in advance to attorney general, judge, prosecutor, and victims requesting notice under the William Van Regenmorter crime victim's rights act.

• New Section 44a establishes expedited process for commutation applications based on prisoner's medical condition when governor requests acceleration: merit review within 10 days, judge/prosecutor notification within 5 days, and full investigation/determination within 90 days.

• Parole board files are public record except for doctor-patient privileged medical information; medical specialists evaluating prisoner condition must be independent and not employed by the department.