Exterior view of the Alabama State Capitol on March 22, 2020 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
The approval came after earlier disagreements over a proposal that would have weakened the bill by letting the Parole Board decide whether inmates could participate.
Wanda Miller, executive director of VOCAL, a victims advocacy group, said her organization opposes the bill because it believes the current system is adequate. Miller said victim advocacy groups had suggested the amendment to allow victims and law enforcement officials to also speak by phone or video conference.
Barfoot said that will make it easier for victims and law enforcement officials to participate in hearings instead of "driving sometimes three hours to sit through a 10- or 15-minute hearing."
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If approved, the measure would become effective on Oct. 1.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/alabama-lawmakers-advance-bill-letting-inmates-speak-parole-hearings