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MarylandHB 11232025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Correctional Services - Geriatric and Medical Parole

Sponsored By: J. Sandy Bartlett (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

CorrectionsAge -see also- Age of Maj; Children; Elderly; Inf&Tod.; etcCognitive DisabilitiesCommittees and CommissionsDeath -see also- Homicide; Murder; Wrongful DeathDisabilitiesElderly Persons (65+) -see also- Elder Abuse and NeglectGovernorHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health Care Facilities -see also- Clinics; Hospices; etcHearingsHousing -see also- Apartments; Condos; Mobile & Manuf HomesIncarcerated IndividualsMedical Conditions -see also- AIDS; COVID-19; rabiesMedical Testing and DiagnosisMedical TreatmentsMental and Behavioral Health -see also- Aut; Cogn; Dev; etc.NamesNoticesParole and ProbationPhysicians -see also- MedExmnrs; Pediatr; Psychiatrists etc.PsychologistsPublic Safety and Correctional Services, Department ofRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsReportsRevenue and Taxes -see also- (specific tax)Rules and RegulationsVictims -see also- Criminal Injuries Compensation

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Free exams and meetings for prisoners

Beginning October 1, 2025, an authorized requester can obtain a free, independent medical parole evaluation with an in-person doctor’s exam. The Parole Commission must give the findings equal consideration. A prisoner or representative can also request a Commission meeting. The Commission must grant it when the prisoner is currently in an infirmary or outside hospital, or frequently used either during the past 6 months. It may grant meetings in other cases.

More medical parole access for prisoners

Beginning October 1, 2025, medical parole is available at any point when all sentences being served allow parole, including life sentences. A licensed doctor must find a lasting disabling condition or terminal illness and a need for extended care better provided in the community. The doctor must also make the law’s findings about danger to society or public safety. The Parole Commission no longer sends life-sentence medical parole grants to the Governor for review. This removes the Governor’s 180-day window to reject those grants.

Parole petitions for older long-term prisoners

Beginning October 1, 2025, people sentenced under Maryland Criminal Law § 14-101 can petition for and receive parole at age 60. They must have served at least 15 years of that sentence. This pathway excludes people registered or eligible to register under Maryland’s sex-offender registration law. Eligibility does not guarantee release.

Prison savings may fund parole assessments

Beginning October 1, 2025, the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board may recommend using some remaining justice-reinvestment savings to hire psychologists. The psychologists conduct risk assessments for older parole candidates through the Maryland Parole Commission. The law sets no dollar amount and does not require this funding recommendation.

Care rules and custody after medical parole

Beginning October 1, 2025, the Commission may require medical parolees to receive medical care and live in medically suitable housing. That housing may include a family home, as specified by the Commission or supervising agent. A licensed doctor’s findings on medical condition, community-care needs, and danger-related status can require return to the correctional facility. Return is mandatory when those findings establish that the person no longer meets medical parole criteria. The Commission must then hold a prompt parole hearing.

Faster medical parole, shorter victim deadlines

Beginning October 1, 2025, the Commission may shorten or waive victim notice and participation time limits in imminent-death medical parole cases. Imminent death means death is likely within 6 months. This can speed review for a dying prisoner while giving victims less time to take part.

Older prisoners gain hearings with limits

Beginning October 1, 2025, the older-prisoner pathway covers people age 65 or older who have served at least 20 years. All sentences must allow parole; sex offenders are excluded, and no Category 1A disciplinary infractions are allowed in the previous 3 years. The Department submits qualifying names; for multiple violent-crime sentences totaling at least 40 years, the Commission must order a risk assessment within 60 days. Hearings follow promptly without an assessment, or after an ordered assessment is completed; denial generally means a 5-year wait unless extraordinary and compelling circumstances justify an earlier hearing. The Commission must also make efforts to prioritize hearings and recommendations for people eligible for medical or older-prisoner parole.

Parole reviews weigh age and safety

Beginning October 1, 2025, parole officials must consider age and other circumstances when judging the chance of another crime. They must also consider whether release is compatible with public safety. These factors apply to parole suitability decisions and agreements that set release in advance.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • J. Sandy Bartlett

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Lorig Charkoudian

    Democratic • House

  • Frank M. Conaway

    Democratic • House

  • Charlotte Crutchfield

    Democratic • House

  • Elizabeth Embry

    Democratic • House

  • Aaron M. Kaufman

    Democratic • House

  • N. Scott Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Gary Simmons

    Democratic • House

  • Karen Simpson

    Democratic • House

  • Sean A. Stinnett

    Democratic • House

  • Kym Taylor

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole A. Williams

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 239 • No: 83

House vote • 4/7/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 101 • No: 36 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 36 • No: 9 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/14/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 102 • No: 38

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 103

    4/22/2025

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/7/2025House

  3. Third Reading Passed (101-36)

    4/7/2025House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/7/2025House

  5. Third Reading Passed (36-9)

    4/3/2025Senate

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/3/2025Senate

  7. Favorable with Amendments {683021/1 Adopted

    4/3/2025Senate

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

    4/3/2025Senate

  9. Hearing 3/25 at 2:00 p.m.

    3/25/2025Senate

  10. Hearing canceled

    3/25/2025Senate

  11. Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/19/2025Senate

  12. Referred Judicial Proceedings

    3/17/2025Senate

  13. Third Reading Passed (102-38)

    3/14/2025House

  14. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/13/2025House

  15. Favorable with Amendments {423821/1 Adopted

    3/13/2025House

  16. Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary

    3/13/2025House

  17. Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/17/2025House

  18. Hearing canceled

    2/17/2025House

  19. Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/10/2025House

  20. First Reading Judiciary

    2/5/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/7/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/13/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/5/2025

    PDF

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