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Bill

HB 311

Correctional Services - Medical Parole - Life Imprisonment

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Gabriel Acevero and 3 co-sponsors

Allows terminally ill or permanently incapacitated individuals serving life sentences in Maryland to petition for medical parole release through gubernatorial review.

Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 311

Legislative bill overview

HB 311 would establish a medical parole program allowing individuals serving life sentences in Maryland to petition for release on medical grounds if they are terminally ill or permanently incapacitated. The bill creates a process where the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services could recommend medical parole to the Governor for consideration.

Why is this important

Medical parole addresses the humanitarian concern of housing terminally ill or severely disabled individuals in prison at significant taxpayer expense, while also raising questions about justice, victim considerations, and public safety. The bill directly affects sentencing outcomes for Maryland's most serious offenders and has implications for corrections budgeting and criminal justice policy.

Potential points of contention

  • Victim and survivor concerns: Families of crime victims may view medical parole as undermining life sentences and allowing offenders to die outside prison walls rather than serve their full sentences
  • Public safety questions: Debate over whether medical conditions sufficiently mitigate public safety risks and whether community-based medical supervision is adequate
  • Implementation standards: Lack of clarity in available bill details regarding specific medical criteria, decision-making procedures, oversight mechanisms, and how "terminal" or "permanently incapacitated" are defined

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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