Community Supervision 2024 Year-End Summary

Community supervision, encompassing probation and parole, is a perennial topic of interest for state legislatures. At least 29 states passed 65 bills on the subject in 2024. More information and bill links are available in NCSL's Community Supervision Legislation Database .  

Conditions of Supervision

At least 10 states passed 15 bills related to the conditions of supervision.

California AB 890 requires that someone granted probation for a violation of specified laws involving fentanyl or similar drugs must successfully complete a fentanyl education program if available.

Louisiana's HB 961 establishes a mental health transition pilot program in various parishes. Eligible people participating in the program are required to complete a Medicaid application when placed on probation or released on parole.

Length of Supervision

At least eight states enacted 13 pieces of legislation that affect the length of supervision. In Maryland, HB 1329 grants individuals the ability to earn compliance credits while under the supervision of private home detention monitoring agencies.

Colorado passed HB 1461, clarifying that a statutory limit on earned time does not apply to time awarded for completion of an accredited higher education program.

New Hampshire's SB 424 requires supervising probation and parole offices to annually review their caseloads to identify people who should have their sentences considered for a reduction by the adult parole board.

Louisiana HB 10 eliminates eligibility to earn good time or any reduction in a sentence with limited exceptions.

Supervision Fees and the Impact of Fines and Fees on Supervision

At least seven enactments in four states addressed supervision fees or the impact of fines and fees on supervision.

California AB 890 requires someone granted probation for violating specific drug offenses such as those involving fentanyl to complete drug education programs. It also prevents charging a fee for enrolling in those programs.

Delaware discharged the balances owed by people who had been ordered to pay probation supervision fees which had been legislatively eliminated in 2022 (HB 244).

Administration of Supervision

Each year, the broad topic of supervision administration receives significant attention from states. This topic includes management of supervision, parole boards and officer duties and training. In 2024, at least 24 states passed 36 bills addressing administration.

In Arizona, SB 1364 creates procedures for the probation department to follow if a person on probation makes a written request at the time of sentencing to transfer their supervision to another county within the state. A person can request transfer because of employment, residence or familial obligations that support positive behavioral change. The department must verify the details of the plan, review safety concerns and submit the request for transfer to the receiving county within seven days.

California AB 2310 requires translating certain forms and notices into the five most common languages of incarcerated people who are eligible for probation.

Colorado enacted HB 1445 to allow people on probation or parole to meet with their supervision officer through telephone calls or virtual meetings. Maine's HB 1307 creates new training and certification standards for probation and parole officers.

Louisiana's SB 5 requires a unanimous vote by a parole panel to grant parole. The state previously required a majority vote. The legislation also limited eligibility for parole consideration for individuals convicted of certain offenses, and HB 9 eliminated parole eligibility for most offenses committed after Aug. 1, 2024.

Utah's HB 366 prevents courts from relying solely on an algorithm or a risk assessment score when making decisions related to probation.