Under existing law, the Board of Pardons and Paroles may not approve or order any pardon, parole, or remission of fine or forfeiture, restoration of civil and political rights, furlough, leave, or early release of a person convicted of certain offenses, which is the board's primary statutory function, unless the victim, under certain conditions, has been given at least 30 days' written notice by certified United States mail.
This bill would provide for changes in notification of victims and these changes would be adopted for all board hearings, including pardon hearings.
This bill would provide the opportunity for all victims, including those named in the indictment and otherwise, as well as any victim representative or other interested individual desiring notice, to supply contact information, and unless another specific mode of notification is requested, the board would provide notice via email under certain conditions.
This bill would also provide for notification to the board of a victim's choice to "opt out" of notification, which may be in writing or through e-signature.
This bill would create the Implementation Task Force to support the implementation of a statewide automated victim notification system, and would provide for members, meeting times, and dissolution of the task force on a certain date.
Source: Alabama Legislature