Department of Criminal Justice Services; Commonwealth'sAttorneys' Services Council; court-appointed counsel; training standardsfor interacting with victims of criminal sexual assault. Directsthe Department of Criminal Justice Services, in conjunction withthe Commonwealth's Attorneys' Services Council, to establish compulsorytraining standards for law-enforcement officers, attorneys for theCommonwealth, and assistant attorneys for the Commonwealth for sensitivityto and awareness of cultural diversity when interviewing, questioning,or examining in any court proceeding a victim of a criminal sexualoffense. The bill also provides that to initially qualify to serveas appointed counsel for an indigent defendant in a general district court, circuit court, or juvenile and domestic relations districtcourt, such attorney shall have completed at least eight hours ofMCLE-approved continuing legal education developed by the VirginiaIndigent Defense Commission on the topic of diversity, racial bias, or cultural sensitivity when interviewing, cross-examining, or representingthe victim of a criminal sexual offense.
Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker
Sponsored bills
Department of Environmental Quality; reviewof local authority regarding certain land disturbances; report.Directs the Department of Environmental Quality (the Department)to convene a work group to review and make recommendations concerningexisting law regarding limits on local authority to review certainland-disturbing activities for stormwater impacts. The Departmentis required by the bill submit a report of the work group's findingsand recommendations to the Governor and the Chairmen of the HouseCommittee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and theSenate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resourcesno later than November 15, 2022.
Celebrating the life of Jameel Jalal Abed.
Celebrating the life of the Honorable FrankDuVal Hargrove, Sr.
Celebrating the life of Sally Lamb.
Celebrating the life of Officer Michael D. Chandler.
Commending George Mason University.
Celebrating the life of Thomas Michael Simcoe.
Commending Daphne Tamara Fulson.
Commending The Arc of Northern Virginia.