HB 1056 Summary: Parole of Aging Prisoners Act

• Creates the "Parole of Aging Prisoners Act" authorizing the Pardon and Parole Board to grant parole to prisoners aged 65 or older who have served at least 10 years or one-third of their sentence, and pose minimal public safety risks.

• Excludes prisoners convicted of crimes under Section 13.1 of Title 21 (violent offenses) and those required to register under the Sex Offenders Registration Act from parole eligibility.

• Requires the Pardon and Parole Board to use evidence-based risk assessment instruments to evaluate public safety risks and establish procedures to notify victims of parole requests with opportunity to object.

• Grants eligible aging prisoners the right to request a parole hearing, receive opportunity to speak on their own behalf, and have counsel present; parole must be granted if Board finds by preponderance of evidence the prisoner poses no substantial risk to public safety.

• Effective November 1, 2013.