HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2567        FILED ON: 1/14/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1767

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act relative to the supervision of individuals on parole from a correctional facility..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 131 of chapter 127 of the General Laws, as appearing in 2002 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following new paragraph:-

In its statement to the prisoner being released on parole, the parole board shall include requirements relating to the social adjustment of the parolee. Said requirements relating shall include information as to where the parolee should go for assistance relating to employment, housing and substance abuse. The Board in preparing the information shall consult with the Executive Office of Communities and Development, and the Department of Employment and training. The prisoner’s parole officer shall require the parolee to utilize the services of the appropriate agency should he determine that the parolee is in need of assistance. The parole officer shall submit a written request to his supervisor,  to order random testing for substance abuse, should in his opinion, it  appear that the parolee may be taking illegal substances.  A positive finding shall result in the parolee being required to utilize an appropriate abuse facility for a period to be determined by the directors of the treatment facility. Finding of positive results in such testing shall also be reported to the parole board for any action that it deems necessary, up to and include revocation of parole.