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West VirginiaSB 1372026 Regular SessionSenate

Modifying parole eligibility for crime of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter

Sponsored By: Vince Deeds (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§61-2-3§61-2-4§62-3-15§62-12-13

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Stronger parole hearings and planning

When you reach parole eligibility, you get a timely hearing. If the Board denies parole, it must tell you when you can ask again, with at least yearly reconsideration. You must submit a written home plan, and the Division must approve it before you are released. The Division creates rehab plans using a standard risk-and-needs test. Finishing your plan, and meeting other rules, creates a presumption in favor of parole. If you are eligible and finished rehab, the Board cannot add extra programs. It can assign tasks and grant parole that starts when you finish them, without another hearing. The Commissioner also publishes a list of outside programs and how parolees complete them.

Longer parole waits for homicides

The law sets fixed prison terms for two homicide crimes. Second-degree murder is 15 to 60 years, and parole is not possible until at least 15 years or the general minimum, whichever is longer. Voluntary manslaughter is 5 to 25 years, and parole is not possible until at least 5 years or the general minimum, whichever is longer. First-degree murder stays a life sentence, with no parole unless a jury recommends mercy or a court allows it after a guilty plea. For life sentences, earlier law set first reviews after 10 years, or 15 years with two prior felonies. Starting July 1, 2026, life sentences need 20 years before parole, or 25 years with two prior felonies. Also starting July 1, 2026, first-degree murder cases need 25 years before parole.

Faster parole path, firearm limits

You are eligible for parole after the minimum of an indeterminate sentence, or after one fourth of a definite term. You can also be eligible if the corrections commissioner accepts you into an accelerated parole program. To qualify for the accelerated path, you must have no prior violent felony, no prior firearm felony, and no prior felony with a minor victim. You must not be serving those kinds of sentences and you must finish a treatment program built from a risk-and-needs test. Firearm use in a felony brings extra parole wait times. If a firearm fact is charged and found, parole cannot happen before three years, or the maximum sentence if shorter. For a §61-2-12 offense with a firearm, parole cannot happen before five years, or one third of a definite term, whichever is greater. The law also defines which crimes count as violent and which ones have a minor child victim.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Vince Deeds

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 203 • No: 50

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 420)

Yes: 33 • No: 1

House vote • 3/9/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 361)

Yes: 95 • No: 0

House vote • 3/6/2026

Amendment rejected (Roll No. 360)

Yes: 45 • No: 47

Senate vote • 1/23/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 7)

Yes: 30 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026Senate

  2. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  3. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  4. To Governor 3/12/2026

    3/12/2026Senate

  5. House Message received

    3/11/2026Senate

  6. Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 420)

    3/11/2026Senate

  7. Communicated to House

    3/11/2026Senate

  8. Completed legislative action

    3/11/2026Senate

  9. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/9/2026House

  10. Read 3rd time

    3/9/2026House

  11. Passed House (Roll No. 361)

    3/9/2026House

  12. Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/9/2026House

  13. Communicated to Senate

    3/9/2026House

  14. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

    3/6/2026House

  15. Read 2nd time

    3/6/2026House

  16. Amendment reported by the Clerk

    3/6/2026House

  17. Amendment rejected (Roll No. 360)

    3/6/2026House

  18. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/6/2026House

  19. On 1st reading, Special Calendar

    3/5/2026House

  20. Read 1st time

    3/5/2026House

  21. With amendment, do pass

    3/4/2026House

  22. Markup Discussion

    3/2/2026House

  23. House received Senate message

    1/27/2026House

  24. Introduced in House

    1/27/2026House

  25. To Judiciary

    1/27/2026House

Bill Text

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