Sen. Jennifer L McClellan

Removes the existing provision that a person's driver's license is suspended (i) when he is convicted of or placed on deferred disposition for a drug offense and (ii) for violations not pertaining to the operator or operation of a motor vehicle. The provisions of this bill that affect the Code of Virginia have a delayed effective date of September 1, 2017.

Increases from $200 to $500 the threshold amount of money taken or value of goods or chattel taken at which the crime rises from petit larceny to grand larceny. This bill incorporates

Prohibits state agencies from including on any employment application a question inquiring whether the prospective employee has ever been arrested or charged with, or convicted of, any crime, subject to certain exceptions. A prospective employee may not be asked if he has ever been convicted of any crime unless the inquiry takes place after the prospective employee has received a conditional offer of employment, which offer may be withdrawn if the prospective employee has a conviction record that directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the position. A prospective employee may not be asked if he has ever been arrested or charged with a crime unless the inquiry takes place after the prospective employee has received a conditional offer of employment, which offer may be withdrawn if (i) the prospective employee's criminal arrest or charge resulted in the prospective employee's conviction of a crime and (ii) the crime of which he was convicted directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the position. The prohibition does not apply to applications for employment with law-enforcement agencies or certain positions designated as sensitive or in instances where a state agency is expressly permitted to inquire into an individual's criminal history for employment purposes pursuant to any provision of federal or state law. The bill also authorizes localities to prohibit such inquiries.

Allows a person to petition for expungement of convictions and deferred disposition dismissals for marijuana possession, underage alcohol possession, and using a false ID to obtain alcohol when the offense occurred prior to the person's twenty-first birthday, all court costs, fines, and restitution have been paid, and five years have elapsed since the date of completion of all terms of sentencing and probation.

Directs the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, in conjunction with the relevant stakeholders, to develop a comprehensive plan, by November 1, 2017, for the provision of forensic discharge planning services at local and regional correctional facilities for persons who have serious mental illnesses who are to be released from such facilities. This bill is identical to

Requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to develop compulsory training standards for law-enforcement officers regarding mental health awareness. The bill also emergency medical services personnel, and firefighters other than volunteer firefighters to participate in a mental health awareness program created or certified by the Mental Health Work Group, established in the Department of Fire Programs.

Requires a public animal shelter to wait three days before euthanizing a dog or cat when a person has notified the shelter of his intent to adopt or take custody of the particular animal. The shelter must make reasonable efforts to accomplish the release of the animal, but is not required hold the animal if it has reason to believe that the animal has seriously injured a human or the animal meets certain other specified conditions for euthanasia. The provisions of the bill are contingent on funding in a general appropriation act.