VA HB318

Expands the Virginia Parole Board from up to 5 members to at least 11 members, with 5 appointed by the Governor, 3 by the Speaker of the House, and 3 by the Senate Rules Committee Chair, effective July 1, 2028

Requires Board members to have professional experience in criminal law, corrections, reentry services, or victim services, with Governor's appointees specifically including a prosecutor, defense attorney, mental health professional, and crime victim representative

Establishes enhanced parole procedures for juvenile offenders who committed crimes while under 18 and have served at least 20 years, requiring annual reviews and a "meaningful opportunity to obtain release" based on demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation

Mandates the Board give substantial mitigating weight to juvenile-specific factors including diminished culpability, immaturity, family circumstances, trauma history, and peer pressure when considering parole for juvenile offenders

Creates an appeal process for juvenile offenders denied parole if the Board failed to properly weigh age-related mitigating factors or overrelied on the nature of the offense rather than evidence of rehabilitation