SB794: City of Chesapeake; pilot program for problem-solving docket.

SENATE BILL NO. 794

Offered January 11, 2017
Prefiled September 21, 2016
A BILL to authorize the City of Chesapeake to establish as a pilot program a problem-solving docket.
Patron-- Cosgrove

Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That the City of Chesapeake may establish a problem-solving docket under a pilot program to promote public safety and reduce recidivism by addressing substance abuse, mental illness, issues unique to military service experienced by veterans and members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves not in active federal service, and issues related to previously incarcerated persons in the criminal justice system.

The goals of the problem-solving docket shall include (i) reducing recidivism; (ii) increasing personal, familial, and societal accountability among offenders through ongoing judicial intervention; (iii) reducing substance abuse, while addressing mental illness and other conditions that contribute to criminal behavior and recidivism; (iv) promoting law-abiding behavior and successful reentry of offenders following incarceration; and (v) promoting effective planning and use of resources within the criminal justice system and community agencies.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, and the Department of Veterans Services shall provide assistance to the City of Chesapeake as requested.

§ 2. The City of Chesapeake shall report on any such pilot program to the Commissioners of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, and the Department of Veterans Services on or before November 30, 2018.

2. That the provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 2019.