# Virginia SB60: Virginia Parole Board; powers and duties, juvenile offenders, parole procedures and considerations.

Virginia SB60, Virginia Parole Board; powers and duties, juvenile offenders, parole procedures and considerations., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Mamie E. Locke (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-22 (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (66-Y 31-N 0-A)) (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB60-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB60
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Virginia Parole Board; powers and duties, juvenile offenders, parole procedures and considerations.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-12-08
- Last action: 2026-04-22, House concurred in Governor's recommendation (66-Y 31-N 0-A)
- Sponsor: Mamie E. Locke (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 13 (284 yes, 135 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 5

## Summary

Virginia Parole Board; powers and duties; juvenile offenders; parole procedures and considerations. Increases the members of the Virginia Parole Board (the Board) from up to five to at least 11 members, five of whom shall be appointed by the Governor within 60 days of inauguration, three of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates within 60 days of a new House being sworn in during a Senate election year, and three of whom shall be appointed by the Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules within 60 days of a new Senate being sworn in after an election, and all of whom shall be 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. The bill specifies that all members of the Board shall have significant professional experience working in criminal law, corrections, reentry and community services, or victim services and that the Board members appointed by the Governor shall include (i) an attorney with significant experience in criminal prosecution; (ii) an attorney with significant experience in criminal defense; (iii) a qualified mental health professional with relevant background in adolescent development, trauma responses, psychology, and decision-making; and (iv) a representative of a crime victims organization or a victim of crime. These provisions of the bill have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2028. The bill also requires the Board to provide a meaningful opportunity for release to certain juvenile offenders eligible for parole and specifies various factors the Board shall give substantial weight to when making a determination on whether to grant parole to such juvenile offender. The bill allows a juvenile offender to request for reconsideration or appeal of a decision by the Board not to grant parole based on (a) the Board's failure to give substantial weight to such juvenile offender's age and its related mitigating circumstances as required by the bill or (b) the Board's overreliance on static factors such as the nature and circumstances of the offense and failure to ground its decision in evidence of maturity, rehabilitation, and a lack of present danger to public safety. The bill requires the Board to provide individualized reasons for the grant or denial of parole upon reconsideration or appeal. The bill also requires that if parole is denied for any such juvenile offender, each Board member shall identify his reasoning for such decision at the time such member's vote is cast, including any youth-related factor and evidence of maturity and rehabilitation that was considered. The bill requires that the Board provide to such prisoner for whom parole is denied recommendations to demonstrate commitment to rehabilitation and at the next hearing, the Board is required to consider whether the prisoner has followed such recommendations. The bill also requires the Board to annually review the cases of such juvenile offenders eligible for parole. This bill is identical to HB 318.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Parole access for people sentenced as juveniles: benefit, high. People serving life or active sentences totaling more than 20 years for felonies committed as juveniles qualify after serving 20 years. The Board must give them a meaningful chance at release, with strong weight on maturity, rehabilitation, and youth-related factors. It cannot use their age at the…
- Public parole votes and clear denial reasons: benefit, low. Final parole debate and voting must be public, with at least three Board members present and members explaining their votes. The prisoner or lawyer can attend in person or by video, as the Board decides. Victims can participate by video or phone, or submit written or recorded testimony. Denied pris…
- Rehabilitation counts in regular parole reviews: benefit, low. The Board must publish Governor-approved rules that consider rehabilitation, education, economic progress, positive behavior, and family and community support. It must review cases within the part of the year when eligibility begins, then generally each year. Reviews can be up to three years apart…
- Victims gain a required parole board seat: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2028, Virginia's Parole Board has five Governor-appointed members, including a crime victim or victims' organization representative. Members need substantial experience in criminal law, corrections, mental health or adolescent development, reentry or community services, or victim…
- Release waits at least 30 business days: cost, low. After receiving notice of approved parole or conditional release, the Department of Corrections must set release at least 30 business days later. It can set an earlier date for conditional release granted under Virginia Code § 53.1-40.02.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Mamie E. Locke (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-04-22 | Senate | Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation | pass | 21 | 18 |   |
| 2026-04-22 | House | House concurred in Governor's recommendation | pass | 66 | 31 |   |
| 2026-02-27 | Senate | House substitute agreed to by Senate | pass | 20 | 19 |   |
| 2026-02-25 | House | Passed House with substitute | pass | 69 | 29 |   |
| 2026-02-20 | House | Reported from Public Safety with substitute | pass | 13 | 4 |   |
| 2026-02-20 | House | Reported from Public Safety with substitute | pass | 17 | 3 |   |
| 2026-02-11 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate | pass | 20 | 19 |   |
| 2026-02-10 | Senate | Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute rejected | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-10 | Senate | Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-09 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-09 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-05 | Senate | Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute | pass | 10 | 5 |   |
| 2026-01-23 | Senate | Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations | pass | 8 | 7 |   |

## Actions (51)

- 2026-04-22: House concurred in Governor's recommendation (66-Y 31-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-04-22: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-04-22: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0984) (Governor)
- 2026-04-22: Reenrolled bill text (SB60ER2) (Senate)
- 2026-04-22: Reenrolled (Senate)
- 2026-04-22: Approved by Governor-Chapter 984 (Effective - see bill) (Governor)
- 2026-04-22: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-04-22: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-04-22: Governor's recommendation adopted (Governor)
- 2026-04-11: Governor's recommendation received by Senate (Governor)
- 2026-03-10: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-10: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-03-05: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB60) (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB60ER) (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Enrolled (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-02-27: House substitute agreed to by Senate (20-Y 19-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-25: Passed House with substitute (69-Y 29-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-02-25: Engrossed by House - committee substitute (House)
- 2026-02-25: committee substitute agreed to (House)
- 2026-02-25: Read third time (House)
- 2026-02-24: Read second time (House)
- 2026-02-23: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB60) (Senate)
- 2026-02-20: Reported from Public Safety with substitute (17-Y 3-N) (House)
- 2026-02-20: Reported from Public Safety with substitute (13-Y 4-N) (House)
- 2026-02-20: Committee substitute printed 26108328D-H1 (House)
- 2026-02-20: Reconsidered by Public Safety (House)
- 2026-02-17: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-17: Referred to Committee on Public Safety (House)
- 2026-02-17: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-11: Read third time and passed Senate (20-Y 19-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute rejected (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB60) (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Committee substitute printed 26107382D-S2 (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Passed by for the day (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-07: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB60) (Senate)
- 2026-02-05: Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (10-Y 5-N) (Senate)
- 2026-01-26: Committee substitute printed 26105956D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-01-23: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-01-23: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-01-23: Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 7-N) (Senate)
- 2026-01-20: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB60) (Senate)
- 2025-12-08: Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services (Senate)
- 2025-12-08: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102029D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-22: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1224983.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1224982.PDF)
- Reenrolled, 2026-04-22: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220416.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220415.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-04-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219176.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219175.PDF)
- Gov Recommendation, 2026-04-11: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219172.HTML)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-04: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188170.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188169.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-21: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1171745.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1171744.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-09: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1133945.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1133944.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-01-26: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096430.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096429.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-01-23: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1094789.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1094788.PDF)
- Introduced, 2025-12-08: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1081804.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1081803.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1224983.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1224982.PDF)
- [Reenrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220416.HTML)
- [Reenrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220415.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219176.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219175.PDF)
- [Gov Recommendation (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219172.HTML)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188170.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188169.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1171745.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1171744.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1133945.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1133944.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096430.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096429.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1094789.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1094788.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1081804.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1081803.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB60-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).