MS HB1476

Inmates (except those convicted of capital murder or sentenced to death) become eligible for parole if diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 12 months or less, completely disabled and bedridden, or bedridden at least 50% of waking hours due to limited self-care capacity.

Sex offenders are excluded from parole eligibility under the limited self-care capacity provision (bedridden 50% of waking hours) but may be eligible under terminal illness or complete disability provisions.

Department of Corrections must provide the State Parole Board with a list of eligible inmates every 30 days and notify the board within 72 hours of any inmate diagnosed with a terminal illness.

The Parole Board, Commissioner of Corrections, and Department Medical Director are authorized to place offenders on conditional medical release based on the same medical conditions that establish parole eligibility.

The state is not responsible for medical costs incurred after an offender is released on conditional medical release; the Department must assist inmates in requesting parole or conditional medical release eligibility.