Court-appointed counsel, et al.; training standards for interacting w/ victims of sexual assaults. (HB1340)

Introduced By

Del. Karrie Delaney (D-Centreville) with support from co-patron Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-Alexandria)

Description

Department of Criminal Justice Services; Commonwealth's Attorneys' Services Council; court-appointed counsel; training standards for interacting with victims of criminal sexual assault. Directs the Department of Criminal Justice Services, in conjunction with the Commonwealth's Attorneys' Services Council, to establish compulsory training standards for law-enforcement officers, attorneys for the Commonwealth, and assistant attorneys for the Commonwealth for sensitivity to and awareness of cultural diversity when interviewing, questioning, or examining in any court proceeding a victim of a criminal sexual offense. The bill also provides that to initially qualify to serve as appointed counsel for an indigent defendant in a general district court, circuit court, or juvenile and domestic relations district court, such attorney shall have completed at least eight hours of MCLE-approved continuing legal education developed by the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission on the topic of diversity, racial bias, or cultural sensitivity when interviewing, cross-examining, or representing the victim of a criminal sexual offense. Read the Bill »

Status

01/27/2022: Awaiting a Vote in the Courts of Justice Committee

History