HB523 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Kenyatte HassellRepresentative
Democrat
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Pardons and Paroles; hearing procedures, revised
Summary: HB523 would revise Alabama parole hearing procedures to balance speaking time, allow non-lawyers to speak, and specify when board members can explain their decisions.
What This Bill Does
The bill requires the parole board to set a minimum hearing time and split it so half goes to the inmate and their advocates for parole and half goes to other advocates against parole, with more time possible for complex cases. It allows non-lawyers to speak at hearings on behalf of the inmate, as well as victims, victims’ families, and other authorized speakers, including law enforcement and prosecutors. Board members may only explain their decision if someone attending the hearing asks for an oral or written explanation, and the board must adopt rules to implement these changes. The changes would take effect on October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects
Inmates up for parole and their advocates: gain a defined, potentially larger, opportunity to present both for and against parole, with time split clearly outlined.
Victims and victims’ families: gain explicit ability to speak at parole hearings and be part of the speaking pool.
Non-lawyer advocates and lay speakers (including certain family members, advocates, and other supporters): permitted to speak without regard to professional licensing requirements.
Law enforcement officers and prosecutors (and their offices): permitted to speak at hearings as part of the speaking options.
Board of Pardons and Paroles: must implement the new time allocations and speaking rules through adopted regulations.

Key Provisions
Section 1(a): The board must adopt a minimum hearing time and allocate it so 50% is reserved for the inmate and his/her advocates for parole, and 50% is reserved for other advocates against parole; the total time can be increased case-by-case based on complexity and the number of speakers.
Section 1(b): Specify who may speak for or against an inmate's parole, including the inmate's designated speaker, victims and their families, victims' designated speakers, law enforcement officers, and representatives of the Attorney General or district attorney’s office.
Section 1(c): Board members may explain the basis of their parole decision only if an oral or written request is made by someone attending the hearing.
Section 1(d): The Board must adopt rules to conform to these provisions.
Section 2: The act becomes effective October 1, 2025.

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