Protective orders; dissolution of existing order. Provides that, upon the issuance of a new protective order involving a petitioner and respondent, the court shall dissolve any existing order issued by such court involving the same petitioner and respondent.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SJ 306) is a symbolic resolution honoring James Downer Ogg. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, people, or programs - it serves solely as a formal expression of commemoration. The resolution passed both the Senate and House in early 2025 but has no substantive legislative impact.
Discovery. Allows the accused to request the Commonwealth to copy or photograph any discovery materials or evidence he is permitted to inspect and review, including relevant police reports, witness statements, and the name and contact information of any potential witness, and requires the Commonwealth to provide such copies or photographs, electronically or otherwise, to him or his counsel. The bill also requires all attorneys for the Commonwealth to provide (i) discovery material for all courts to counsel of record for the accused, if requested, by electronic means, defined in the bill, unless such material is prohibited from being distributed by law or impossible to provide by electronic means and (ii) to counsel of record for the accused, if requested, in any district court a copy of any police report by electronic means at least 10 days prior to the date the case is set for trial.Lastly, the bill requires the attorney for the Commonwealth to provide a copy of a person's criminal history record information, including criminal history record information maintained in the National Crime Information Center and the Interstate Identification Index System that is in his possession, pursuant to the rules of court for obtaining discovery or for review by the court. Current law provides that nothing shall preclude the dissemination of a person's criminal history record information pursuant to such rules of court but does not require the attorney for the Commonwealth to provide the copy nor identify specific types of information. This bill was incorporated into HB 1627.
Appointment of counsel for accused; felonies punishable by a mandatory minimum term of confinement for life. Provides that in any case in which an indigent defendant is charged with any felony punishable by a mandatory minimum term of confinement for life, the court shall appoint two competent, qualified, and experienced attorneys, one of whom shall be the public defender in a jurisdiction in which a public defender office is established, for the defendant. Under current law, the court is required to appoint two such attorneys in cases in which an indigent defendant is charged with a Class 1 felony. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Criminal Justice Conference.
Maddy summaryThis House resolution formally commends John Lavinder, a retired law enforcement officer from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, for his 39-year career. The document highlights his specific achievements, including his extensive work training scent hounds and locating missing persons over 32 years. It also notes that he will retire alongside his long-time partner, a bloodhound named Jethro. The resolution directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the text to present to Lavinder as an official expression of appreciation for his service.
Discovery; electronic means; report. Requires all attorneys for the Commonwealth to provide discovery materials for all courts to counsel of record for the accused by electronic means unless such material is prohibited from being distributed by law or impossible to provide by electronic means. The bill directs the Supreme Court of Virginia to promulgate rules to implement this provision by July 1, 2026. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.The bill also requires the Executive Secretary of the Compensation Board, or a designee, to convene a work group to determine the costs associated with any changes in operations and technology infrastructure necessary to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill requires the Executive Secretary of the Compensation Board to provide an interim report to the General Assembly by November 30, 2024, and a final report to the General Assembly by August 1, 2025.
Trial by jury; contact with jurors after trialprohibited; penalty. Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for any party,other than counsel for any party to the litigation or the press, whoknowingly and intentionally contacts a juror after a jury trial unlesssuch party has received an order from the court that oversaw suchtrial permitting such contact. The bill provides that a pro se defendant must obtain such order, and that the court shall prescribe the mannerof contact that any such party is allowed to have with a juror.The bill also provides that a violation of such court order is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Veterinary medicine; traineeships. Allowsany veterinary medicine licensure applicant enrolled in a traineeshipprogram to engage in the limited practice of veterinary medicine,as that term is defined by the Board of Veterinary Medicine, underthe direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. The bill directsthe Board to adopt emergency regulations to implement the provisionsof the bill.
Active-duty status for any service member injured while in the line of duty. Provides that the Adjutant General may maintain state active-duty status for any service member injured while in the line of duty during the course of a state active-duty mission who is unable to return to civilian employment for a period of up to 90 days after the date of the service member's injury.
Center for Rural Virginia; name change. Renames the Center for Rural Virginia as the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia. This bill is identical to SB 704.
