LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) – Changes could be coming to how the state decides if inmates should stay behind bars or be granted parole. It comes after lawmakers on the Court, Corrections, and Justice Committee got a look at a drafted bill during a meeting earlier this week. It's expected to be introduced to the legislature next year. "This is a trend that we're seeing across the country in boards," said Staff Attorney Denali Wilson for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico. If approved by the legislature during next year's session, members on the state's parole board will have new guidelines to follow when deciding if an inmate should be granted parole. UNM sees a record-breaking increase in first-year student enrollment "The hope here is to reflect a shifted focus from what are static factors, things that are unchanging and cannot change; the nature of the crime," Wilson said. As the law reads now, parole board members must take into account whether a deadly weapon was used in the crime committed by the inmate and if they're a "habitual offender." The proposed changes would delete this language and replace it with guidelines that focus on how the inmate has behaved during their time in prison rather than the nature of the crime. "We want to see the board focusing on prison behavior, engagement in risk reduction programs," Wilson explained. It also adds language that would require board members to consider if the inmate has proved to be mature, has shown signs of rehabilitation, and their readiness to enter back into society. A portion that would pay board members for work they do outside of administrative meetings was added to the drafted bill as well. "We know, as advocates, that better resourcing and fair compensation means that cases are heard on time, and they get the individualized care that they deserve," Wilson added. House Majority Speaker Rep. Gail Chasey shared her support for the change. Utah mother raising money for her own funeral dies "I really think that the idea of paying board members differently is a good one because we've heard frequently how hard it is to keep people, good people, on the parole board," Rep. Chasey said. The bill is expected to be sponsored by Sen. Leo Jaramillo. State lawmakers meet for a 60-day session starting January 21.