Virginia HB 739

Virginia Parole Board; membership; appointment of members; powers and duties. Increases the membership of the Parole Board from up to five members to 10 members, five of whom are to be appointed by the Governor, three of whom are to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and two of whom are to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. The bill requires that four of the five Parole Board members appointed by the Governor have specific background and experience as enumerated in the bill. The bill also provides that when the Parole Board votes to deny an inmate's parole and issues the basis for such denial in writing as required by current law, the Parole Board shall also include in such writing specific steps that the inmate may take to demonstrate commitment to rehabilitation and notice that the Parole Board shall, at such inmate's next parole hearing, consider whether the inmate has taken such steps. Finally, the bill requires the Parole Board, at least 30 days prior to its final deliberation and vote regarding whether to grant parole to an inmate, to provide a true copy of all information collected throughout the investigation to such inmate, his attorney, or another person that the inmate has designated to receive such information either electronically or in paper form.