Parole; exception to limitation on the application of parole statutes.

Parole; exception to limitation on the application of parole statutes. Provides that a person is eligible to be considered 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 going into effect (on January 1, 1995); (ii) the person remained incarcerated for the offense on July 1, 2020; and (iii) the offense was not one of the following: (a) a Class 1 felony; (b) if the victim was a minor, rape, forcible sodomy, object sexual penetration, or aggravated sexual battery or an attempt to commit such act; or (c) carnal knowledge. The bill requires the Parole Board to provide at least 60 days' notice to the attorney for the Commonwealth in the jurisdiction where the offense occurred and where the person resided prior to conviction that such person is being considered for parole prior to any review and parole decision on such person. The bill requires the Parole Board to establish procedures regarding extension of time within which to review and decide a case for reasonable cause.