Abolition of the death penalty. Abolishes the death penalty, including for those persons currently under a death sentence. The bill provides that no person may be sentenced to death or put to death on or after its effective date for any violation of law.
Brain injury; definition. Eliminates therequirement that an injury occur before the age of 65 to constitutea brain injury as that term is used in the context of licensure ofprivate providers of behavioral health services.
Personal appearance by two-way electronic videoand audio communication; entry of plea or nolle prosequi; adjudicationof probation violations. Provides that with the consent of thecourt and all parties, an appearance in a court may be made by two-way electronic video and audio communication for the purpose of (i) entryof a plea of guilty or nolo contendere and the related sentencingof the defendant charged with a misdemeanor or felony, (ii) entryof a nolle prosequi, or (iii) adjudication of an alleged violationof probation. This bill is a recommendation of the Judicial Councilof Virginia and the Committee on District Courts.
Vehicle registration fees; Public Safety TrustFund. Imposes an additional $4 vehicle registration fee to bedeposited into the Public Safety Trust Fund, established by the bill.The moneys in the Public Safety Trust Fund are to be used to eliminate barriers to an inclusive, diverse, and well-qualified workforce byaddressing compensation issues related to staffing, retention, andpay compression at the Department of State Police.
Elimination of mandatory minimum sentences;modification of sentence to mandatory minimum term of confinementfor felony offenses. Eliminates all mandatory minimum sentencesof confinement from the Code of Virginia. The bill also providesa petition process for a person who was convicted or adjudicateddelinquent of a felony offense committed prior to July 1, 2021, exceptfor a Class 1 felony or any felony that was punishable by a mandatory minimum term of confinement for life, and sentenced to a mandatoryminimum term of confinement for such felony offense and who remainsincarcerated in a state or local correctional facility serving themandatory minimum term of confinement for such felony offense topetition the circuit court that entered the original judgment ororder to (i) suspend the unserved portion of such mandatory minimumsentence, (ii) place such person on probation for such time as thecourt shall determine, or (iii) otherwise modify the sentence imposed. The bill provides that such petition shall be filed by July 1, 2024.This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia State Crime Commission.
Standards of Learning assessments; reduction; report. Reduces the total number and type of required Standardsof Learning assessments to the minimum requirements established by the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, asamended. The bill requires the Department of Education to annuallyreport on the estimated projected and actual savings from the implementationof the bill and report the amount of such savings to the Governorand the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and theSenate Committee on Finance and Appropriations no later than the first day of each Regular Session of the General Assembly. The billalso requires that such amount be included in the total for DirectAid to Public Education in any general appropriation act.
Joint Subcommittee to Study Barrier Crimesand Criminal History Records Checks; Report. Continues the Joint Subcommittee to Study Barrier Crimes and Criminal History RecordsChecks for one additional year, through November 30, 2021.
