The House Judiciary Committee voted to report House Bill 136 favorably, a measure to require the Department of Corrections to compile and submit annual reports on time served and parole and supervision outcomes.

Representative Jared Bauman, sponsor of the bill, told the committee HB136 would “mandate amendments to KRS 439 requiring that the DOC compile and submit annual reports to the general assembly.” He said the reports would provide “critical data on time served by individuals released from correctional institutions and those on parole, promoting transparency and informed decision making.”

Joshua Crawford, director of Criminal Justice Initiatives at the Georgia Center for Opportunity, testified in support, saying several states already publish the requested data and that Kentucky’s policy debates rely too often on anecdotes because comprehensive data are lacking. Representative Bauman told the committee the DOC had not expressed concerns about producing the required report and that much of the requested information is already collected by other states and by the department.

Representative Burke asked whether the Department of Corrections can produce the report as written; Bauman responded that DOC had not voiced reservations and that the bill formalizes an existing reporting practice by specifying the criteria the General Assembly should receive.

The committee adopted the bill and reported House Bill 136 favorably on a roll call showing 19 yes votes and no recorded no votes. Voting yes were Representatives Banton, Bauman, Blanton, Burke, Decker, Dietz, Flannery, Griffey, Kulkarni, Lewis, Maddox, Marzion, Mosher, Nemas, Petrie, Roberts, Whitaker, Williams, Wilson and Chair Elliott.

Supporters said the change will provide lawmakers with standardized, actionable corrections and parole data to guide legislation; witnesses urged lawmakers to use data cautiously when making changes that affect liberty and public safety.