1. (a)

   1. (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. (2) Each proceeding before a Commission panel shall be conducted in accordance with this section.

2. (b)

   1. (1)

      1. (i) A Commission panel that consists of two commissioners shall determine, by unanimous vote, whether the incarcerated individual is suitable for parole in accordance with the factors and other information specified in § 7-305 of this subtitle.
      2. (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. (2) A Commission panel that consists of three commissioners shall determine, by majority vote, whether the incarcerated individual is suitable for parole in accordance with the factors and other information specified in § 7-305 of this subtitle.
3. (c) For an incarcerated individual 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 incarcerated individual for parole, based on consideration of the factors specified in § 7-305 of this subtitle.

4. (d)

   1. (1) The Commission panel shall inform the incarcerated individual and the appropriate correctional authority of the Commission's decision as soon as possible.
   2. (2) If parole is denied, the Commission shall give the incarcerated individual a written report of its findings within 30 days after the hearing.

Added by Acts 1999, c. 54, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 1999, c. 64, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1999; Acts 2021, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 30, § 1, eff. Jan. 6, 2022; Acts 2023, c. 721, § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 2023.

Formerly Art. 41, § 4-509.