SB137 is a bill in the West Virginia Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Modifying parole eligibility for crime of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter.

What is the status of SB137?

Signed into law as of April 1, 2026. Latest action: Chapter 98, Acts, Regular Session, 2026 (June 25, 2026).

Where is the official record for SB137?

On the West Virginia Legislature website: https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/Bills_history.cfm?input=137&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill

West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session

West Virginia SB137: Modifying parole eligibility for crime of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter

Q: What does SB137 do?

In its own words: An act to amend and reenact §61-2-3, §61-2-4, §62-3-15, and §62-12-13 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the penalties for homicide and crimes punishable by life imprisonment; increasing the minimum and maximum term of imprisonment for second degree murder; increasing the minimum imprisonment required to be served for second degree murder; increasing the minimum and maximum term of imprisonment for voluntary manslaughter; increasing the minimum imprisonment required to be served for voluntary manslaughter; increasing the minimum period of imprisonment prior to parole e.

Status: Signed into law, April 1, 2026

What the bill says

An act to amend and reenact §61-2-3, §61-2-4, §62-3-15, and §62-12-13 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the penalties for homicide and crimes punishable by life imprisonment; increasing the minimum and maximum term of imprisonment for second degree murder; increasing the minimum imprisonment required to be served for second degree murder; increasing the minimum and maximum term of imprisonment for voluntary manslaughter; increasing the minimum imprisonment required to be served for voluntary manslaughter; increasing the minimum period of imprisonment prior to parole e.

From the enrolled text, March 11, 2026:

AN ACT to amend and reenact §61-2-3, §61-2-4, §62-3-15, and §62-12-13 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the penalties for homicide and crimes punishable by life imprisonment; increasing the minimum and maximum term of imprisonment for second degree murder; increasing the minimum imprisonment required to be served for second degree murder; increasing the minimum and maximum term of imprisonment for voluntary manslaughter; increasing the minimum imprisonment required to be served for voluntary manslaughter; increasing the minimum period of imprisonment prior to parole eligibility for individuals sentenced to life imprisonment; increasing the minimum period of imprisonment prior to parole eligibility for individuals sentenced to life imprisonment as a recidivist; increasing the minimum period of imprisonment prior to parole eligibility for individuals sentenced to life imprisonment for first degree murder; clarifying the crimes in the definition of a felony offense where the victim was a minor child; clarifying the crimes for which the parole board may waiver certain required reports; clarifying appearance in person or by electronic teleconference by certain persons at parole review hearings; and creating criminal penalties. CHAPTER 61. CRIMES AND THEIR PUNISHMENT. Article 2. Crimes Against The Person. §61-2-3. Penalty for murder of second degree. Murder of the second degree shall be punished by a definite term of imprisonment in the penitentiary which is …

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West Virginia SB137: Modifying parole eligibility for crime of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter

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