An Act to promote equitable access to parole

This bill aims to increase fairness in the parole system by updating how the Massachusetts Parole Board is structured and how hearings are conducted. It requires the board to include at least four members with backgrounds in mental health or social work, one licensed mental health professional, and one formerly incarcerated person with relevant experience. Additionally, the legislation mandates that all board members, parole officers, and related staff undergo annual training on cultural competency and implicit bias. The bill also sets strict timelines for public hearings, ensuring that hearings for life-sentence prisoners occur no later than 90 days before their parole eligibility date and that decisions are made within a specific window. These changes are designed to ensure that parole decisions are made by a diverse panel with lived experience and that the process is timely and transparent for eligible prisoners.