HB581 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris EnglandRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Medical parole, to further provide for medical parole in certain circumstances, Secs. 15-22-42, 15-22-43 am'd.

Summary

HB581 would expand medical parole in Alabama by lowering the geriatric age to 50, removing most offense-based eligibility limits, and allowing parole consideration after 15 years served.

What This Bill Does

It redefines who can be considered for medical parole (50+ years old with certain medical needs) and allows eligibility after 15 years of imprisonment, rather than waiting for an initial parole date. It would still exclude inmates convicted of capital murder or sex offenses. It creates a special medical parole docket with open hearings and requires the Department of Corrections to identify eligible inmates and provide medical information to the board, which would review cases alongside other release options and base decisions on medical and risk factors.

Who It Affects

• Incarcerated individuals in Alabama who are at least 50 years old and have a life-threatening illness, a chronic debilitating disease related to aging, or require assistance with daily life functions.
• Inmates who have served at least 15 years and meet medical criteria for parole (excluding those convicted of capital murder or a sex offense).

Key Provisions

• Defines geriatric inmate as 50 years of age or older for purposes of medical parole and clarifies eligible medical conditions.
• Allows eligibility for medical parole after 15 years served (instead of waiting for initial parole consideration).
• Establishes a special medical parole docket and requires open public hearings to consider medical parole cases.
• Requires the Department of Corrections to identify eligible inmates, including those with life-threatening illness and those who have spent significant time in infirmaries or required costly medical treatment.
• Requires the Board of Pardons and Paroles to consider inmates on the docket using defined factors (risk for violence, criminal history, behavior, age, illness severity, medical records, and reentry plans).
• Keeps capital murder and sex offenses excluded from medical parole eligibility; requires compliance with HIPAA; mandates annual reporting on medical parole activity.
• Takes effect immediately upon passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Medical Parole