Amendment #3 to H4184

Right to counsel

Representatives Balser of Newton, Khan of Newton, Malia of Boston, Decker of Cambridge, Hecht of Watertown, Livingstone of Boston and Rogers of Cambridge moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:

SECTION XX.  Said section 133A of said chapter 127, as most recently amended, is hereby further amended by inserting at the end thereof the following new paragraph:

If the prisoner is serving a life sentence for murder committed before his eighteenth birthday, the prisoner shall have the right to have appointed counsel at the parole hearing if deemed to be indigent and the right to funds for experts as determined by the standards under chapter 211D.  Said board shall at least 90 days before such hearing notify the prisoner of these rights.  Prior to the hearing, the parole board shall provide to the prisoner and his counsel, any and all documents to be considered by the parole board no later than 7 days prior to the hearing to allow adequate time for a written response if necessary.  The parole board shall issue its decision no later than 60 days from the date of the hearing and shall provide a written decision that documents the basis for the decision.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #3 to H4184

Right to counsel