Multi-jurisdiction grand juries; numerous changes to laws governing. (HB56)

Introduced By

Del. Manoli Loupassi (R-Richmond)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Multi-jurisdiction grand juries. Makes numerous changes to the laws governing multi-jurisdiction grand juries, including (i) allowing a grand jury to issue a report that there is insufficient probable cause to return an indictment as a "true bill," (ii) increasing from six months to 12 months the period of time that a term of a grand jury may be extended, (iii) providing that the grand jury's subpoena power must be executed through special counsel and that such subpoenas must be returnable for a specific meeting of the grand jury, (iv) allowing for the designation of specialized personnel for investigative purposes, known as sworn investigators, who may participate in grand jury proceedings at the request of special counsel or the grand jury, (v) providing that copies of tapes, notes, and transcriptions of grand jury proceedings will be maintained by the clerk of the circuit court in whose jurisdiction the multi-jurisdiction grand jury sits, and (vi) providing that the testimony of a witness before the grand jury may serve as the basis for a charge of perjury. The bill also expands who must keep secret what occurred during a grand jury proceeding to include witnesses, their counsel, attorneys for the Commonwealth, special counsel, and sworn investigators. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Passed

History

DateAction
12/04/2013Committee
12/04/2013Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/14 14100197D
12/04/2013Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/10/2014Assigned Courts sub: Criminal
01/13/2014Subcommittee recommends reporting (11-Y 0-N)
01/20/2014Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment (21-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/22/2014Read first time
01/23/2014Read second time
01/23/2014Committee amendment agreed to
01/23/2014Engrossed by House as amended HB56E
01/23/2014Printed as engrossed 14100197D-E
01/24/2014Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (95-Y 0-N)
01/24/2014VOTE: BLOCK VOTE PASSAGE (95-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/27/2014Constitutional reading dispensed
01/27/2014Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
02/17/2014Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (15-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/17/2014Committee substitute printed 14105061D-S1
02/18/2014Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)
02/19/2014Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)
02/19/2014Impact statement from DPB (HB56S1)
02/19/2014Read third time
02/19/2014Reading of substitute waived
02/19/2014Committee substitute agreed to 14105061D-S1
02/19/2014Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute HB56S1
02/19/2014Passed Senate with substitute (40-Y 0-N)
02/20/2014Placed on Calendar
02/21/2014Senate substitute agreed to by House 14105061D-S1 (98-Y 0-N)
02/21/2014VOTE: ADOPTION (98-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/25/2014Enrolled
02/25/2014Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB56ER)
02/25/2014Impact statement from DPB (HB56ER)
02/25/2014Signed by Speaker
02/27/2014Signed by President
03/31/2014G Approved by Governor-Chapter 389 (effective 7/1/14)
03/31/2014G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0389)