2020 BILLS
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PASSED BILLS (2020)
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HB 33 Parole; exception to limitation on the application of parole statutes (2020)
Sponsored by Delegate Joseph Lindsey
05/01/20 House: VOTE: (50-Y 44-N)
04/22/20 Governor: Governor's recommendation adopted
Provides that a person is entitled to parole if (i) such person was sentenced by a jury prior to the date of the Supreme Court of Virginia decision in Fishback v. Commonwealth, 260 Va. 104 (June 9, 2000), in which the Court held that a jury should be instructed on the fact that parole has been abolished, for a noncapital felony committed on or after the abolition of parole going into effect (on January 1, 1995) and (ii) the jury was not instructed on the abolition of parole. Bill information here.
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SB 793 Parole; exception to limitation on the application of parole statutes (2020)
Sponsored by Senator Jennifer McClellan (D)
05/01/20 House: VOTE: (50-Y 44-N)
04/22/20 Governor: Governor's recommendation adopted
Provides that an incarcerated person is eligible for parole if (i) such person was sentenced by a jury prior to the date of the Supreme Court of Virginia decision in Fishback v. Commonwealth, 260 Va. 104 (June 9, 2000), in which the Court held that a jury should be instructed on the fact that parole has been abolished, for a noncapital felony committed on or after the abolition of parole went into effect (on January 1, 1995) and (ii) the jury was not instructed on the abolition of parole in the Commonwealth. Read bill information here.
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INCORPORATED BILLS (2020)
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SB 821 Parole; exception to limitation on the application of Parole (2020)
Sponsored by Senator Joseph Morrissey [D]
02/03/2020: Incorporated by Judiciary into SB 793.
Provides that an incarcerated person is eligible for parole if (i) such person was sentenced by a jury prior to the date of the Supreme Court of Virginia decision in Fishback v. Commonwealth, 260 Va. 104 (June 9, 2000), in which the Court held that a jury should be instructed on the fact that parole has been abolished, for a noncapital felony committed on or after the abolition of parole went into effect (on January 1, 1995) and (ii) the jury was not instructed on the abolition of parole in the Commonwealth. The bill also provides that any person eligible for parole as provided by the provisions of this bill shall be given priority for consideration of parole over all other eligible persons and shall have a parole. Read bill information here.
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FAILED BILLS 2020
HB 996 Parole - Fishback (2020)
12/04/20 House: Left in Courts of Justice
Sponsored by Delegate Joesph Lindsey [D]
Provides that an incarcerated person is eligible for parole if (i) such person was sentenced by a jury prior to the date of the Supreme Court of Virginia decision in Fishback v. Commonwealth, 260 Va. 104 (June 9, 2000), in which the Court held that a jury should be instructed on the fact that parole has been abolished, for a noncapital felony committed on or after the abolition of parole went into effect (on January 1, 1995) and (ii) the jury was not instructed on the abolition of parole in the Commonwealth. Read bill information here. Amendment from 3/5/2020 is here.