SB356 - Court-appointed counsel; raises the limitation of fees.

2 Co-Sponsors

Compensation of court-appointed counsel. Raises the limitation of fees that court-appointed counsel can receive for representation on various offenses in district and circuit courts. The bill also limits the fees charged for the cost of court-appointed counsel or public defender representation to persons determined to be indigent to an amount no greater than the amount such person would have owed if such fees had been assessed on or before June 30, 2024. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2025.

SB398 - Protective orders; respondent to notify court of change of address.

1 Co-Sponsor

Protective orders; respondent to notify court of change of address. Requires the respondent against whom a protective order has been issued to notify the court in writing within seven days of any change of residence while such order is in effect, provided that such order has been properly served upon the respondent. In a proceeding involving a preliminary protective order, the bill provides that the court may require the respondent to notify the court in writing within seven days of any change of residence while such preliminary protective order is in effect. The bill also provides that any failure of a respondent to make such required notification shall be punishable by contempt. Protective orders; respondent to notify court of change of address. Requires the respondent against whom a protective order has been issued to notify the court in writing within seven days of any change of residence while such order is in effect, provided that such order has been properly served upon the respondent. In a proceeding involving a preliminary protective order, the bill provides that the court may require the respondent to notify the court in writing within seven days of any change of residence while such preliminary protective order is in effect. The bill also provides that any failure of a respondent to make such required notification shall be punishable by contempt.

SB549 - Travel expenses; local officials.

3 Co-Sponsors

Travel expenses; local officials. Provides that any travel expense of a local official, as defined in the bill, to be paid from public funds, as defined in the bill, that is anticipated to exceed $5,000 shall be subject to approval in advance by a vote of the local governing body in an open meeting. The bill specifies that if the final travel expense exceeds the previously approved amount, such expense shall be reported to the governing body and noted in the meeting agenda or meeting minutes within 60 days of the determination. The bill requires a local official to repay to the locality any travel expense that the governing body determines such local official misappropriated within 10 days and to furnish a copy of any receipts for such expense at the next public meeting. The bill allows a locality to adopt more stringent standards for local officials' travel expenses. Travel expenses; local officials. Provides that any travel expense of a local official, as defined in the bill, to be paid from public funds, as defined in the bill, that is anticipated to exceed $5,000 shall be subject to approval in advance by a vote of the local governing body in an open meeting. The bill specifies that if the final travel expense exceeds the previously approved amount, such expense shall be reported to the governing body and noted in the meeting agenda or meeting minutes within 60 days of the determination. The bill requires a local official to repay to the locality any travel expense that the governing body determines such local official misappropriated within 10 days and to furnish a copy of any receipts for such expense at the next public meeting. The bill allows a locality to adopt more stringent standards for local officials' travel expenses.

SB80 - Decreasing probation period; establishes criteria for mandatory reduction.

3 Co-Sponsors

Decreasing probation period; criteria for mandatory reduction; report. Establishes criteria for which a defendant's supervised probation period shall be reduced, including completing qualifying educational activities, maintaining verifiable employment, and complying with or completing any state-certified or state-approved mental health or substance abuse treatment program. The bill provides that a court may decrease a defendant's probation period if warranted by the defendant's conduct and in the interests of justice and may do so without a hearing. The bill also directs the Department of Corrections to meet with relevant stakeholders and provide to the General Assembly by November 1, 2024, a report regarding certain probation practices. The provisions of the bill, other than the requirement that the Department submit a report to the General Assembly, are subject to reenactment by the 2025 Session of the General Assembly.

SR26 - Commending Margaret L. Sanner.

33 Co-Sponsors

SJR43 - Celebrating the life of Janet Marie Brooking.

37 Co-Sponsors

SJR63 - Commending Peter A. Blake.

40 Co-Sponsors

SB547 - Law-enforcement training; communication with individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

4 Co-Sponsors

Law-enforcement training; individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish compulsory minimum and in-service training standards for law-enforcement officers on communicating with individuals with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability, such as autism spectrum disorder, which shall include (i) an overview and behavioral recognition of autism spectrum disorder, (ii) best practices for crisis prevention and de-escalation techniques, (iii) an objective review of any relevant tools and technology available to assist in communication, and (iv) education on law-enforcement agency and community resources for the autism community on future crisis prevention. The bill requires that such training standards be established in consultation with at least one individual with autism spectrum disorder, one family member of an individual with autism spectrum disorder, one specialist who works with individuals with autism spectrum disorder, one representative from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and one representative from a state or local law-enforcement agency. The bill requires the Department to establish such training standards by January 1, 2027, and requires any person employed as a law-enforcement officer prior to July 1, 2024, to complete the compulsory in-service training by July 1, 2028.

SB350 - Virginia Human Rights Act; right to sue.

1 Co-Sponsor

Virginia Human Rights Act; right to sue. Permits a complainant who has not received a notice of the right to file a civil action from the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Law or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, regardless of whether the complaint was dual-filed, as requested after 180 days have passed from the date the complaint was filed to commence a timely civil action in an appropriate general district or circuit court having jurisdiction over the person who allegedly unlawfully discriminated against the complainant. Virginia Human Rights Act; right to sue. Permits a complainant who has not received a notice of the right to file a civil action from the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Law or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, regardless of whether the complaint was dual-filed, as requested after 180 days have passed from the date the complaint was filed to commence a timely civil action in an appropriate general district or circuit court having jurisdiction over the person who allegedly unlawfully discriminated against the complainant.

SJR69 - Commending Scott McGeary.

37 Co-Sponsors