Bill Text: VA SB1063 | 2011 | Regular Session | Comm Sub

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Veterans and military servicemembers; specialty treatment procedures.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-04-06 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0847) [SB1063 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2011-SB1063-Comm_Sub.html

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11105279D
SENATE BILL NO. 1063 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the House Committee for Courts of Justice on February 21, 2011) (Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Miller, J.C.) A BILL to provide specialty treatment procedures for veterans and military servicemembers.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  § 1. That localities may establish for veterans and military servicemembers special treatment procedures.

A. For purposes of this section, "servicemember" means a person who is presently serving in the armed forces of the United States, or a reserve component thereof, including the National Guard. For purposes of this section, "veteran" means a person who has served in the armed forces of the United States, including the U.S. Coast Guard, or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the National Guard.

B. Localities may establish policies and procedures for servicemembers who are nonviolent offenders to attain the following goals: (i) effective coordination of treatment and counseling services available to the criminal justice system; (ii) enhanced public safety through intensive offender supervision, counseling, and treatment; (iii) prompt identification and placement of eligible participants; (iv) efficient access to a continuum of treatment, rehabilitation, and counseling services; (v) where appropriate, verified participant abstinence through frequent alcohol and other drug testing; (vi) prompt response to participants' noncompliance with program requirements; (vii) ongoing monitoring and evaluation of program effectiveness and efficiency; (viii) ongoing education and training in support of program effectiveness and efficiency; (ix) ongoing collaboration among public agencies, community-based organizations and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' health care networks, the Veterans Benefits Administration, volunteer veteran mentors, and veteran and military family support organizations; and (x) creation of a veterans and military servicemembers advisory council to provide input on the operations of programs. The council shall include individuals responsible for the special procedures program along with veterans and, if available, military servicemembers.

C. The Department of Veterans Services shall cooperate with localities in accomplishing the purposes of this section.