HB72 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jerry StarnesRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to pardons and paroles; to amend Sections 15-22-51 and 15-22-53, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide that a specialist, in addition to a parole officer, may conduct an investigation and provide a report to the court regarding a defendant; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

Summary

HB72 adds specialists to conduct investigations for pardons and paroles and changes parole hearing timing to protect timely hearings or releaseparolees when hearings are delayed.

What This Bill Does

It allows a specialist, in addition to a probation officer, to investigate pardons and paroles cases and provide a written court report using a validated risk/needs assessment, including details such as offense circumstances, criminal history, social history, present condition, and (if practicable) physical and mental examinations. It requires investigators to handle all referred cases with written reports, inform those released on probation of their conditions, monitor conduct using evidence-based practices, and keep detailed records, with reports treated as privileged. It also changes the parole hearing process so that if a hearing is not held within 20 business days and the parolee is in custody, they must be released back to parole supervision unless exigent circumstances exist, and it notes nonsubstantive technical updates to the code. The act becomes effective after a short delay following passage.

Who It Affects

• Parolees who are in custody awaiting parole-violation hearings, who would be released back to parole supervision if the hearing is not held within 20 business days (unless exigent circumstances exist).
• Probation officers and specialists who conduct investigations and prepare court reports, along with the courts, Board of Pardons and Paroles, and the Department of Corrections, as their roles expand to include specialists and new reporting requirements and use of risk/needs assessments.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: Amends §15-22-51 to authorize a specialist, in addition to a probation officer, to conduct investigations and provide a written court report using a validated risk/needs assessment, including required information such as offense circumstances, defendant's criminal record, social history, present condition, and, if practicable, physical and mental examinations.
• Provision 2: Amends §15-22-53 to require both probation officers and specialists to investigate all cases referred for investigation, provide written reports, inform and set probation conditions for those on probation, supervise and report on probationers using evidence-based practices, keep detailed records, and treat reports as privileged; also establishes the 20-business-day hearing rule for parolees (release back to supervision if the hearing is not held timely, unless exigent circumstances exist) and adds nonsubstantive technical updates to the code.

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