(a) (1) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the chairperson of the Commission shall assign at least two commissioners to hear cases for parole release as a panel.
(2) Each proceeding before a Commission panel shall be conducted in accordance with this section.
(b) (1) (i) A Commission panel that consists of two commissioners shall determine, by unanimous vote, whether the inmate is suitable for parole in accordance with the factors and other information specified in § 7–305 of this subtitle.
(ii) If the two–commissioner panel is unable to reach a unanimous decision, the chairperson of the Commission shall convene a three–commissioner panel as soon as practicable to rehear the case.
(2) A Commission panel that consists of three commissioners shall determine, by majority vote, whether the inmate is suitable for parole in accordance with the factors and other information specified in § 7–305 of this subtitle.
(c) For an inmate who has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of a crime committed on or after October 1, 2021, at least six affirmative votes are required to approve the inmate for parole, based on consideration of the factors specified in § 7–305 of this subtitle.
(d) (1) The Commission panel shall inform the inmate and the appropriate correctional authority of the Commission’s decision as soon as possible.
(2) If parole is denied, the Commission shall give the inmate a written report of its findings within 30 days after the hearing.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Title 7 - Parole, Release on Mandatory Supervision, and Executive Clemency
Subtitle 3 - Eligibility for Parole; Parole Hearings
Section 7-301 - Eligibility for Parole
Section 7-301.1 - Administrative Release
Section 7-302 - Frequency of Hearings
Section 7-303 - Notice to Inmate
Section 7-304 - When Hearing Open to Public; Attendance by Victim or Victim's Representative
Section 7-305 - Factors and Information to Be Considered
Section 7-306 - Hearing Conducted by Hearing Examiner