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Bill To Limit O'Malley Say In Paroles Near Passage

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The General Assembly could soon send a bill to limit Gov. Martin O'Malley's say in parole decisions to his desk for his consideration.

The Senate considered the measure Monday night, and the House is expected to take up the proposal Tuesday.

The legislation would give governors 180 days to decide whether inmates serving life sentences should be paroled. The state parole board makes recommendations for release, but under the current system, the governor doesn't face a deadline to act on them.

Under the proposed legislation, if the governor doesn't act by the 180-day deadline, the parole would take effect.

Until March, O'Malley had not moved on any of the 50 recommendations awaiting action. After the measure gained traction in March, the Democratic governor denied parole to seven inmates.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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