ENROLLED

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

Senate Bill No. 29

(By Senators Burdette, Mr. President, and Boley,

By Request of the Executive)

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[Passed March 12, 1994; in effect ninety days from passage.]

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AN ACT to amend and reenact section twelve, article twelve, chapter sixty-two of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, relating to the board of probation and parole; changing the name to the "West Virginia Parole Board"; increasing the number of board members from three to five: changing certain experience requirements for members; and providing for staggered appointments of the two new members.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That section twelve, article twelve, chapter sixty-two of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 12. PROBATION AND PAROLE.
§62-12-12. Parole board generally.

There shall be a state board of parole, known as the "West Virginia parole board". The board shall consist of five members, each of whom shall have been a resident of this state for at least five consecutive years prior to his or her appointment. No more than three of the board members may at any one time belong to the same political party. The board shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Appointments following the effective date of this section shall be made in such a manner so that no more than one member of the board resides in any one congressional district. Each member of the board shall have a degree in criminal justice or like experience and academic training and shall be otherwise competent to perform the duties of his or her office. The members shall be appointed for overlapping terms of six years. Any member qualified under this section is eligible for reappointment. The members of the board shall devote their full time and attention to their board duties. Any single member of the board is empowered to hold any hearing provided for in this article, where a transcript of the hearing, including exhibits and documentary evidence, and the recommendation of the member holding the hearing is submitted to the board for decision.