HB 4761 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Raise the Penalties for Murder and attempted Murder

HB 4761 modifies parole eligibility for individuals convicted of murder or attempted murder in West Virginia. It increases the minimum time inmates must serve before becoming parole-eligible: 20 years for second-degree murder (up from 10), and 10-40 years for attempted first-degree murder (up from 3-15) or 5-20 years for attempted second-degree murder (up from 1-3). The bill also adds provisions allowing prosecutors and victims' families to attend parole hearings remotely or in person. These changes directly affect inmates serving sentences for these specific violent offenses. The bill does not alter sentence lengths but restricts early release opportunities for these crimes.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Last action Jan 22, 2026
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Full legislative history

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Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
2
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
To House Judiciary
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
To Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors

Sponsors