Constitutional amendment; restoration of civil rights for certain persons convicted of felonies. (HJ664)

Introduced By

Del. Betsy Carr (D-Richmond) with support from 6 copatrons, whose average partisan position is:

Those copatrons are Del. Bob Brink (D-Arlington), Del. Matthew James (D-Portsmouth), Del. Delores McQuinn (D-Richmond), Del. Roslyn Tyler (D-Jarratt), Sen. Roz Dance (D-Petersburg), Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate

Description

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); restoration of civil rights. Authorizes the General Assembly to provide by general law for the restoration of civil rights for persons convicted of felonies who have completed service of their sentence, including any period or condition of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Currently the Constitution provides for restoration of rights by the Governor. The proposed amendment retains the right of the Governor to restore civil rights and adds the alternative for restoration of rights pursuant to general law. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/08/2013Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/13 13101310D
01/08/2013Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/11/2013Assigned P & E sub: Constitutional Amendments Subcommittee
01/14/2013Subcommittee recommends incorporating (HJ535-Herring)
02/05/2013Left in Privileges and Elections

Comments

ACLU-VA Voting Rights, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

The ACLU of Virginia strongly supports passage of a constitutional amendment that would permit enactment of general laws restoring the right to vote to persons convicted of felonies.