2012 Legislation
The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA) monitors all legislation that impacts the office of sheriff. By exhibiting a strong voice in the Virginia General Assembly, VSA helps define the responsibilities of law enforcement.
Following are some of the bills affecting sheriffs’ offices that passed in the 2012 session of the Virginia General Assembly.
Administrative Law Enforcement
House Bill 187 Police check-points; prohibits establishment of motorcycle only check-points
House Bill 498 Funeral processions; local sheriff and police department escorts
House Bill 508 Cannabinoids, synthetic; amends provisions regarding criminalization
House Bill 545 VDOT; allowed to drive on portion of highway other than a roadway to/from scene of traffic accident
House Bill 770 Emergency protective orders; not to be issued against law-enforcement officer performing his duties
House Bill 969 Sexual assault response teams; State attorney to invite chiefs of campus police to annual meeting
House Bill 1161 Methamphetamine precursors; sale and tracking, penalties
House Bill 1237 Child abuse and neglect; mandatory reporting, penalties
House Bill 1298 GPS tracking device; provides authority & protocol for law enforcement to apply for search warrant
Senate Bill 148 Methamphetamine lab clean-up costs; localities may charge for reimbursement
Senate Bill 294 Methamphetamine precursors; sale and tracking, penalties
Senate Bill 534 Tangible personal property; volunteer deputy sheriffs
Senate Bill 541 Auxiliary police forces; Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish training requirements
Senate Bill 685 GPS tracking device; provides authority & protocol for law enforcement to apply for search warrant
Jails
House Bill 1244 Arrest; adult charged when a juvenile may be released on bail or recognizance
House Bill 1280 Psychiatric hospital admissions; local inmates
Courts & Civil Process
House Bill 288 Courthouses; exception from prohibition against carrying weapon for city and county treasurers
House Bill 475 Involuntary commitment; alters criteria for ordering mandatory outpatient treatment
House Bill 476 Mandatory outpatient treatment hearing; determination of treatment prior to release from commitment
Other
House Joint Resolution 223 Commending John R. Newhart Sheriff of the City of Chesapeake
House Joint Resolution 332 Commending Vanessa Reese Crawford, Sheriff of the City of Petersburg
Senate Joint Resolution 31 Commending the Honorable Peter G. Decker, Jr.
Senate Joint Resolution 182 Commending Vanessa Reese Crawford, Sheriff of the City of Petersburg
For detailed information and current status of a particular legislative item listed above, go to the Virginia General Assembly home page .
House Bill 22 Firearms; disposition thereof acquired by localities
House Bill 185 Criminal cases; fines and forfeitures collected upon conviction shall be credited to Literary Fund
House Bill 348 Asset forfeitures; consolidates certain provisions and eliminates redundancies
House Bill 438 Virginia Retirement System; benefits for certain local law-enforcement employees
House Bill 455 Wireless E-911 Fund; distribution of funds on monthly basis to public safety answering point
House Bill 556 Internet; publication of personal information of certain public officials prohibited
House Bill 746 Farm vehicles; exemption from registration
House Bill 771 Campus police officers; included in definition of law-enforcement officers
House Bill 856 Critical incident stress management teams; privileged information regarding criminal acts, etc
House Bill 965 Campus police; mutual aid agreements with local law-enforcement agencies and State Police
House Bill 1148 Tangible personal property; volunteer deputy sheriffs
House Bill 1160 Unlawful detention of U.S. citizens; prevents any agency, etc., from assisting in investigation
House Bill 1238 Forfeited drug assets; redirection of assets to construction of Public Safety Memorial
Senate Bill 67 Concealed handgun permit applications; removes option for locality to require fingerprints
Senate Bill 158 Admission to bail; notice to State attorney
Senate Bill 495 Wireless E-911 Fund; distribution of funds on monthly basis to public safety answering point
Senate Bill 497 Virginia Retirement System; local government and school board employees, contributions
Senate Bill 498 Retirement System; hybrid retirement program created, optional defined retirement plan created, etc
Senate Bill 558 Forfeited drug assets; redirection of assets to construction of Public Safety Memorial
