Virginia SB 60: Va. Parole Board; powers and duties, parole procedures and considerations for juvenile offenders.

Bill Text

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26102029D

SENATE BILL NO. 60

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled December 8, 2025

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 53.1-134, 53.1-136, 53.1-154, and 53.1-165.1 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 53.1-154.2, relating to Virginia Parole Board; powers and duties; juvenile offenders; parole procedures and considerations.

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Patron—Locke

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Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 53.1-134, 53.1-136, 53.1-154, and 53.1-165.1 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 53.1-154.2 as follows:

§ 53.1-134. Virginia Parole Board; appointment of members.

There shall be a Virginia Parole Board (the Board) that shall consist of up to five members appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the General Assembly, if in session when such appointment is made, and if not in session, then at its next succeeding session. At least one member of the Board shall be a representative of a crime victims' organization or a victim of crime as defined in subsection B of § 19.2-11.01. Whenever possible, Board members and any support staff of the Board shall have relevant background experience in adolescent development and the psychology of decision-making with a greater emphasis on those persons with a background in social work or social services. The term of each member of the Board shall be four years. When a vacancy on the Board occurs, the Governor shall appoint a member to fill such vacancy within 60 days.

The members of the Board shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

§ 53.1-136. Powers and duties of Board; notice of release of certain inmates; report.

In addition to the other powers and duties imposed upon the Board by this article, the Board shall:

1. Adopt, subject to approval by the Governor, general rules governing the granting of parole and eligibility requirements, which shall be published and posted for public review. Such eligibility rules shall require consideration of the prisoner's demonstrated rehabilitation, economic and educational development, commitment to prosocial behavior, and community and family supports;

2. Adopt, subject to approval by the Governor, rules providing for the granting of parole to those prisoners who are eligible for parole pursuant to § 53.1-165.1. The Board shall ensure that such prisoners have a meaningful opportunity for release on the basis of demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation and the lesser culpability of juvenile offenders;

3. a. Release on parole for such time and upon such terms and conditions as the Board shall prescribe, persons convicted of felonies and confined under the laws of the Commonwealth in any correctional facility in Virginia when those persons become eligible and are found suitable for parole, according to those rules adopted pursuant to subdivisions 1 and 2;

b. Notify the Department of Corrections of its decision to grant discretionary parole or conditional release to an inmate. The Department of Corrections shall set the release date for such inmate no sooner than 30 business days from the date that the Department of Corrections receives such notification from the Chairman of the Board, except that the Department of Corrections may set an earlier release date in the case of an inmate granted conditional release pursuant to § 53.1-40.02. In the case of an inmate granted parole who was convicted of a felony and sentenced to a term of 10 or more years, or an inmate granted conditional release, the Board shall notify the attorney for the Commonwealth in the jurisdiction where the inmate was sentenced (i) by electronic means at least 21 business days prior to such inmate's release that such inmate has been granted discretionary parole or conditional release pursuant to § 53.1-40.01 or 53.1-40.02 or (ii) by telephone or other electronic means prior to such inmate's release that such inmate has been granted conditional release pursuant to § 53.1-40.02 where death is imminent. Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the obligations of the Board under § 53.1-155 for investigation prior to release on discretionary parole;

c. Provide that in any case where a person who is released on parole has been committed to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services under the provisions of Chapter 9 (§ 37.2-900 et seq.) of Title 37.2 the conditions of his parole shall include the requirement that the person comply with all conditions given him by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and that he follow all of the terms of his treatment plan;

4. Revoke parole and order the reincarceration of any parolee or impose a condition of participation in any component of the Statewide Community-Based Corrections System for State-Responsible Offenders (§ 53.1-6