HB533 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg Wren

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Medical Furlough Act, definition of permanently incapacitated inmate further provided for, Commissioner of Department of Corrections to report to Legislature information regarding certain inmates under medical supervision, commissioner required to evaluate certain inmates frequently in infirmary or under medical supervision for a medical furlough, Secs. 14-14-2, 14-14-4, 14-14-5, 14-14-7 am'd.

Summary

HB533 would create a Medical Furlough program for certain non-capital felons who are geriatric, permanently incapacitated, or terminally ill, with defined categories, procedures, and reporting requirements.

What This Bill Does

It creates a medical furlough program for inmates who are non-capital felons and fit the new categories (geriatric, permanently incapacitated, or terminally ill). The Department of Corrections would evaluate inmates who have spent 60 days or more in infirmary or under medical supervision, annually assess their eligibility for furlough, and report to legislative committees and the Alabama Sentencing Commission. It also outlines how furloughs would be granted, supervised, and potentially revoked, including discharge planning and required medical and behavioral evaluations.

Who It Affects

• Inmates convicted of non-capital felonies who are geriatric, permanently incapacitated, or terminally ill and have long-term care needs; they would be eligible for medical furlough and supervision.
• Public bodies and officials, including the Department of Corrections, district attorneys, crime victims, and legislative committees, who would conduct evaluations, receive notices, and review annual reports about medical furlough applications and outcomes.

Key Provisions

• Defines geriatric inmate, permanently incapacitated inmate, and terminally ill inmate with criteria including age threshold (55+ for geriatric), long-term care needs, and low risk to society.
• Establishes a medical furlough program and requires the commissioner to adopt rules for implementation; each candidate is classified as geriatric, permanently incapacitated, or terminally ill.
• Eligibility and exclusions: applies to non-capital felonies; does not apply to capital murder or sexual offenses; inmates who have not served minimum sentence may be considered.
• Application process: initial medical release application with medical opinions from department physicians and a board-certified doctor not employed by the department; forms available; submission by inmate or representative; timelines include decisions within 30 days and documentation within up to 60 days.
• Evaluation factors: risk of violence, criminal history, institutional behavior, age, illness severity, medical/mental health records, and release plans.
• Supervision and discharge: release includes supervision requirements and a discharge plan; biannual medical evaluations; commissioner may revoke furlough for parole violations or if conditions change.
• Notifications and oversight: notify district attorneys and victims; annual reporting to Joint Legislative Interim Prison Committee, House Judiciary Subcommittee on Sentencing, and the Alabama Sentencing Commission; report on applications, approvals/denials, and inmates on furlough.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Corrections Department