Committee advances bipartisan bill to update parole board procedures

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced SB43, a bipartisan measure that updates statutory language governing the adult parole board.

Sponsor testimony said the bill modernizes a statute last revised in 1983 by introducing evidence‑based factors for discretionary parole, authorizing per diem reimbursement for board members in closed hearings and requiring considerate scheduling to avoid victims’ birth or death dates. The sponsor told members the bill had passed the legislature previously but was vetoed; changes were made in the interim to address the governor’s concerns and the sponsor said the current executive branch signaled support.

Roberta Cohen, the parole board director, and other corrections officials were present; Secretary Alicia Tafoya Lucero of the Department of Corrections testified in support, saying per diems and scheduling protections help ensure thorough reviews and reduce retraumatization for victims.

Members asked technical questions about the bill’s scope; sponsors clarified the changes primarily apply to discretionary parole for adults serving life sentences and do not alter medical, geriatric or juvenile parole statutes. The committee moved to a do‑pass motion after questions and no recorded objections were noted in committee discussion.

The bill will move to the full Senate for further consideration.