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SB 618

Executive Secretary, Office of; annual trauma-informed education for certain court personnel.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tammy Mulchi

Virginia bill requiring annual trauma-informed education for court personnel to improve how courts interact with trauma survivors and vulnerable populations.

Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N)
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Bill Summary · SB 618

Legislative bill overview

SB 618 would require the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court to establish and provide annual trauma-informed education training for certain court personnel in Virginia. The bill mandates implementation of standardized training focused on understanding trauma and its effects on court interactions and proceedings.

Why is this important

Court personnel frequently interact with individuals who have experienced trauma—domestic violence survivors, abuse victims, crime witnesses, and vulnerable populations. Trauma-informed training can improve how courts handle sensitive cases, reduce re-traumatization, and potentially increase victim cooperation and case effectiveness. This reflects a broader national movement toward modernizing court practices to better serve traumatized populations.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and cost: Unclear which court personnel are "certain," and whether the state budget adequately funds annual training for potentially hundreds of employees across the judicial system
  • Mandate without resources: The bill continues to the next session with committee approval, but implementation details—funding source, curriculum standards, trainer qualifications—remain unspecified
  • Effectiveness measurement: No performance metrics or accountability mechanisms are mentioned to assess whether trauma-informed training produces meaningful improvements in court outcomes or victim experiences

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

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