Maryland2026Active
HB0016
Changes to Maryland Parole Commission Members and Hearing Examiners
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 4:24 AM
In one sentence
This law changes how many commissioners serve on the board, creates a panel to recommend new members for initial terms, limits temporary hearing examiners to 90 days, and requires a majority vote of all appointed commissioners to grant parole in certain cases.
What it does
- Increases the number of commission members from ten to at least fifteen but no more than twenty people.
- Requires that nominees for initial commissioner terms be chosen by a specific panel before the Governor appoints them.
- Mandates that a new commissioner must be appointed within 90 days if a seat becomes empty.
- Limits hearing examiners appointed to fill vacancies from serving more than 90 days.
- Changes parole approval rules so a majority of all currently appointed commissioners must vote yes, instead of just six members.
Who it affects
- The Maryland Parole Commission and its commissioners
- Hearing examiners who conduct parole hearings or fill vacancies
- Incarcerated individuals seeking release on parole
Limits and unknowns
- The bill text provided ends before listing all specific types of cases requiring a full commission vote.
- It is unclear from this excerpt how many hearing examiners will be hired or their exact salaries, as compensation follows the State budget.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Commissioner
- A full-time member of the Maryland Parole Commission appointed by the Governor to vote on parole cases.
- Hearing Examiner
- An official who may be appointed temporarily to fill a vacancy or conduct specific hearings, limited to 90 days in certain situations.
- Nomination Panel
- A group including leaders from law enforcement, public defense, education, mental health, and the public that selects candidates for initial commissioner terms.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Altering the appointing authority and method of appointment of parole commissioners; requiring a new commissioner to be appointed within 90 days after a vacancy; prohibiting a hearing examiner appointed under certain authority from serving for more than 90 days; altering certain requirements for hearing examiners; requiring a vote of the majority of commissioners appointed to the Maryland Parole Commission, instead of a minimum number of 6 commissioners, to approve a certain incarcerated individual for parole; etc.
Official activity
Bill history
- In the Senate - Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m.