The Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that increases the sentencing ranges and parole eligibility requirements for the crime of homicide.
Senate bill 136 puts West Virginia in line with its border states in terms of sentencing guidelines and parole eligibility for the crime of homicide.
The legislation amends criminal code sections, increasing penalties for second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, and raising the parole eligibility requirements for both.
The bill increases the sentencing range for second degree murder from 10-40 years to 15-60 years and adjusts the parole eligibility minimum from 10 to 15 years served.
The legislation increases the sentencing range for voluntary manslaughter from 3-15 years to 5-25 years and adjusts parole eligibility minimum from 3 to 5 years served.
For life sentences, the bill would require individuals to serve 20 years before being eligible for parole, up from 10 years.
The legislation now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.
Senate Bills 589-598 were introduced on Tuesday.
The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m.
Afternoon Meetings:
Economic Development at 1 p.m. in 208W
Health at 1 p.m. in 451M
Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W
Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M
Morning Meetings for Feb. 26:
Natural Resources at 9:30 a.m. in 208W
