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Bill

SB 1191

Adults charged w/ criminal offense punishable by confinement in jail, etc.; collecting, etc., data.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Creigh Deeds

Virginia would mandate comprehensive data collection on adults charged with jail-eligible crimes to improve criminal justice transparency and identify potential systemic disparities.

Senate sustained Governor's veto
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Bill Summary · SB 1191

Legislative bill overview

SB 1191 requires Virginia to collect and maintain comprehensive data on adults charged with criminal offenses punishable by jail confinement, including demographic information, offense details, and case outcomes. The bill mandates systematic data collection and reporting to improve transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system.

Why is this important

Data collection on criminal charges and outcomes is essential for identifying potential disparities in how different demographic groups are treated by the justice system and for evidence-based policy reform. Without standardized data collection, lawmakers and the public cannot accurately assess whether criminal justice processes are functioning equitably or identify systemic problems.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Establishing comprehensive statewide data collection systems requires significant IT infrastructure and ongoing administrative resources that may strain local law enforcement budgets
  • Privacy and security concerns: Collecting and storing sensitive demographic and criminal history data raises questions about data protection, access restrictions, and potential misuse of personal information
  • Scope and specificity: Disagreement over which data points are necessary versus burdensome, and whether collection requirements could inadvertently create inconsistencies across different jurisdictions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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