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House panel advances bill changing selection process for Maryland Parole Commission
Summary
Lawmakers advanced a bill that would change how parole commissioners are selected, creating a nominating commission with specified seats including a public defender representative and a prisoners’ rights advocate; the favorable report was adopted and the bill was printed for third reading.
The Maryland House adopted a favorable committee report and ordered printed for third reading a bill that would change how members of the Maryland Parole Commission are selected.
The bill would replace the current system, in which the secretary appoints parole commissioners, with a nominating commission that would vet candidates and present three names to the governor. Floor discussion described the nominating commission as a statewide panel with specific seats.
The floor leader summarized the commission’s proposed composition, saying it would include “the executive director of the Maryland training and standard commission, the public defender’s office, the president of the Maryland state’s attorneys, three service providers, the state superintendent of education, the president of the National Association of Social Workers, three members of the general public, and one prisoners’ rights advocate.” A member on the floor asked whether the nominating commission would require representation from the public defender’s office; the floor leader confirmed that it would.
Supporters said the change was intended to make the selection of commissioners more like the judicial nominations process, with a commission screening candidates before the governor selects among recommended nominees. A member asked whether the bill specifies requirements for who sits on the nominating commission; the floor leader said details of the nominating commission membership are included in the bill text and noted that the bill would set the selection model similar to how judges are selected.
Outcome and procedure: the House adopted the committee’s favorable report by voice vote and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. No amendments recorded on the floor changed the core nominating-commission concept.
Why it matters: the bill alters the appointment pathway for parole commissioners, shifting from an executive-only appointment to a screened recommendation process. That change affects how parole decisionmakers are vetted and could change the mix of expertise represented on the commission.
What’s next: the bill proceeds to third reading on the House floor.
