Amid a flurry of votes Monday, Maryland lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a bill to deny parole to the most serious sex offenders. The Jessica’s Law parole provisions unanimously passed the House of Delegates and the Senate approved it 43-3. The bill even got the support of House Judiciary Committee Chairman Joseph Vallario, D-Prince George’s County, who cast a rare committee vote for the bill. Committee chairs rarely vote on bills other than to break a tie. Last year, lawmakers passed another version of Jessica’s Law establishing mandatory minimum sentences for individuals convicted of first- or second-degree rape and first- or second-degree sex offense. Prior to this year’s bill, those convicted of the most serious sex offenses were eligible for parole after serving half of their minimum sentence.