Bill Text: VA SB681 | 2021 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Criminal cases; compensation of experts, effective clause.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-12-04 - Left in Courts of Justice [SB681 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2021-SB681-Engrossed.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §19.2-175 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§19.2-175. Compensation of experts.
Each psychiatrist, clinical psychologist or other expert
appointed by the court to render professional service pursuant to §19.2-168.1,
19.2-169.1, 19.2-169.5, 19.2-182.8, 19.2-182.9, 19.2-264.3:1, 19.2-264.3:3 or
19.2-301, who is not regularly employed by the Commonwealth of Virginia except
by the University of Virginia School of Medicine and the Medical College of
Virginia Commonwealth University, shall receive a reasonable fee for such
service. For any psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or other expert appointed
by the court to render such professional services who is regularly employed by
the Commonwealth of Virginia, except by the University of Virginia School of
Medicine or the Medical College of Virginia Commonwealth University, the fee
shall be paid only for professional services provided during nonstate hours
that have been approved by his employing agency as being beyond the scope of
his state employment duties. The fee shall be determined in each instance by
the court that appointed the expert, in accordance with guidelines established
by the Supreme Court after consultation with the Department of Behavioral
Health and Developmental Services. Except in capital murder cases, the
fee shall not exceed $750 $1,200, but in addition, if any
such expert is required to appear as a witness in any hearing held pursuant to
such sections, he shall receive mileage and a fee of $100 for each day during
which he is required so to serve. An itemized account of expense, duly sworn
to, must be presented to the court, and when allowed shall be certified to the
Supreme Court for payment out of the state treasury, and be charged against the
appropriations made to pay criminal charges. Allowance for the fee and for the
per diem authorized shall also be made by order of the court, duly certified to
the Supreme Court for payment out of the appropriation to pay criminal charges.
[ 2. That the provisions of this act shall not become effective unless an appropriation effectuating the purposes of this act is included in a general appropriation act passed in 2020 by the General Assembly that becomes law. ]