Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said unpaid parole fees owed by thousands of convicts will be canceled following the enactment of a new law this month.

The governor’s office said the more than $13 million in debt cancellation will affect over 6,700 people who accrued the supervision and drug testing fees while on parole, mandatory release or administrative release.

“Marylanders who serve their time deserve a second chance without bearing the financial burden of recurring administrative fees,” Mr. Moore, a Democrat, said in a statement last week. “Leave no one behind is not just a talking point for us, it’s a governing philosophy. This action will create paths to work, wages, and wealth for Marylanders; grow our economy; and build a state that is more equitable and just.”

The clean slate comes after House Bill 0531 took effect Oct. 1. 

The new law repealed the Maryland Parole Commission’s authority to enforce the fees — which were anywhere from $40 to $50 per month — and also revoked the commission’s ability to have parolees pay for their own drug and alcohol testing.  

The state said it collected more than $998,000 in fees over the years, but was still owed $13,360,000 before the new law kicked in.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.