Constitutional amendment; restoration of civil rights (first reference). (SJ266)

Introduced By

Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) with support from co-patron Sen. Mark Herring (D-Leesburg)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate

Description

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); restoration of civil rights. Authorizes the General Assembly to provide by law for the restoration of civil rights for persons convicted of nonviolent felonies who have completed service of their sentences subject to the conditions, requirements, and definitions set forth in that law. The present Constitution provides for restoration of rights by the Governor. The amendment retains the right of the Governor to restore civil rights and adds the alternative for restoration of rights pursuant to law. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
12/07/2012Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/13
12/07/2012Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/13 13101657D
12/07/2012Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/15/2013Assigned to P&E sub: Constitutional Amendments, Reapportionment and Referenda
01/22/2013Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (10-Y 5-N) (see vote tally)
01/22/2013Committee substitute printed 13104052D-S1
01/23/2013Incorporates SJ321
01/23/2013Incorporates SJ269
01/24/2013Reading waived (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/25/2013Read second time
01/25/2013Reading of substitute waived
01/25/2013Committee substitute agreed to 13104052D-S1
01/25/2013Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SJ266S1
01/28/2013Read third time and agreed to by Senate (30-Y 10-N) (see vote tally)
02/02/2013Placed on Calendar
02/02/2013Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
02/04/2013Assigned P & E sub: Constitutional Amendments Subcommittee
02/11/2013Subcommittee recommends no action
02/23/2013Left in Privileges and Elections

Comments

stephen writes:

Why just nonviolent felonies? Why not help the other people too, so they can turn their lives around 100%.

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

The ACLU of Virginia strongly supports passage of a constitutional amendment that automatically restores the civil rights of individuals convicted of non-violent felonies.