Maryland Senate amends SB 181 to expand medical and geriatric parole eligibility

During the recent Judicial Proceedings Committee session held on March 5, 2025, significant discussions centered around Senate Bill 181, which proposes changes to the Maryland Parole Commission's eligibility criteria for granting medical and geriatric parole. This bill aims to align Maryland's parole system more closely with federal standards, particularly concerning compassionate release.

One of the key amendments discussed involves redefining the criteria for medical parole. The revised language specifies that individuals must have a diagnosable medical condition that is unlikely to improve and significantly impairs their ability to care for themselves. This includes conditions such as dementia and severe cognitive disabilities. The amendment also modifies the existing requirements for medical parole, which previously mandated either chronic debilitation or terminal illness. Under the new proposal, individuals must meet one of two criteria: they must be chronically debilitated or incapacitated, or they must have a terminal illness requiring extensive medical management better suited for community care.

The bill also introduces a new category for geriatric parole, raising the age requirement from 60 to 65 years and extending the minimum time served from 15 to 20 years. Additionally, the frequency of parole hearings for geriatric parole has been adjusted. Instead of being eligible for a hearing every two years, individuals will now have to wait at least five years after a denial, unless extraordinary circumstances warrant an earlier review.

Another notable aspect of the amendment is the repeal of an outdated provision concerning geriatric parole that only applied to individuals convicted of violent crimes. This change reflects a broader effort to modernize the parole system and ensure it meets current needs.

The committee expressed a rare consensus on the bill, with support from both public defenders and state attorneys, indicating a collaborative approach to reforming the parole process. The committee's decision to prioritize hearings for medical and geriatric parole reflects an understanding of the potential surge in applications following these changes.

As the bill moves forward, it represents a significant shift in Maryland's approach to parole, emphasizing compassion and the need for a more humane response to aging and medically vulnerable individuals within the correctional system. The anticipated next steps include further discussions and potential voting on the amended bill, which could reshape the landscape of parole eligibility in the state.