Establishing a medical release program for certain persons committed to the custody of the department of corrections

This bill establishes a medical release program for certain persons committed to the custody of the department of corrections (department). The bill provides that a person committed to the custody of the director of the department may be eligible for medical release if a licensed medical professional diagnoses the person with a terminal illness with a prognosis of death within one year or with a serious medical condition, or determines that the person is physically or mentally incapacitated. The bill provides that the department may identify a person eligible for medical release and file a petition requesting a medical review by the board of parole (board). The department shall perform an updated risk assessment on a person found to meet the requirements for a medical release that evaluates the person’s risk of reoffending. _____ the following: medical documentation of a diagnosis of a terminal illness, a serious medical condition, or physical or mental incapacitation; a statement from a licensed medical professional regarding the person’s diagnosis, prognosis, and required level of care; and any relevant information concerning the person’s behavior and risk assessment. Upon receipt of a petition, the board shall review the petition and all submitted documentation, and provide notice of the petition for medical review to all victims of the person. The notice shall inform a victim of the right to submit a victim impact statement to the board within days of receipt of the notice. The bill provides that all persons identified by the department for potential medical release shall be interviewed by the board. If the person’s condition is such that the person is unable to meaningfully participate in an interview, the person’s case manager or other representative of the department shall be present. Within days of receiving the petition, the board shall make a decision based on all of the following: the medical condition and prognosis of the person; the nature of the offense committed by the person; the risk assessment; and any other factors the board considers when making a parole release decision. All hearings on petitions for medical release are open to the public. If the petition is approved by the board, the person shall be released to a suitable care facility or home setting. A released person must be supervised under a release plan that includes the following: medical care and support services; regular check-ins with a designated supervisory officer; and any other conditions necessary for the well-being of the person and to ensure public safety. _____ the number of petitions received, the number of persons released, and the outcomes and status of the released persons.