<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gcs" article_name="Correctional Services" number="7-304" title_number="7" title_name="Parole, Release on Mandatory Supervision, and Executive Clemency" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Eligibility for Parole; Parole Hearings">
  <level label="a">
    <text>A parole hearing shall be open to the public if:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <level label="i">
        <text>a victim, as defined in § 7–801 of this title, makes a written request to the Department for notification and maintains a current address on file with the Department; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>a victim or a victim’s representative files a notification request form under § 11–104 of the Criminal Procedure Article; and</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>within a reasonable amount of time before a scheduled hearing, the victim makes a written request that the hearing be open to the public.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The vote of each commissioner when acting collectively or in a panel, to approve or deny parole, the panel’s reasoning and justifications for the panel’s decision, and a vote to close or restrict access to a parole hearing under subsection (d) of this section, shall be made available to the public.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the victim or victim’s representative has the right to attend an open parole hearing.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>The Commission or a panel of commissioners may:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>restrict the number of individuals allowed to attend a parole hearing in accordance with physical limitations or security requirements of the facility where the hearing is held;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>deny admission or continued attendance at a parole hearing to an individual who:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>threatens or presents a danger to the security of the facility in which the hearing is being held;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>threatens or presents a danger to other attendees or participants; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>disrupts the hearing;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>close a parole hearing to deliberate on the evidence and any other relevant information received at the hearing; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>close a parole hearing on written request of the chief law enforcement official responsible for an ongoing criminal investigation related to the incarcerated individual, if the ongoing investigation could be compromised.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>This section does not limit the authority of the Commission to hold a parole hearing through the use of a video conference or other means of electronic transmission.</text>
  </level>
</section>
