Drug Court Programs

Item 462 #11c

Language
Page 321, line 41, strike "$28,901,995" and insert "$31,601,995".
Page 321, line 41, strike "$28,901,995" and insert "$31,601,995".
Page 322, line 11, after "B.", insert "1."
Page 322, line 13, strike the first "$533,000" and insert "$2,700,000".
Page 322, line 13, strike the second $533,000 and insert $2,700,000".
Page 322, line 14, after "drug", strike "courts in the 7th" and insert:
"court programs statewide."
Page 322, strike lines 15 through 20, and insert:
"2. Out of these amounts, the Department is authorized to provide grants to localities that total not more than $2,600,000 each year.  Priority shall be given in the following order:
a. Established drug court programs serving the Circuit Courts in Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond and Roanoke, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts in Fredericksburg and Richmond.
b. As matching funds to support new drug court programs that have received or are applying for federal implementation funds, including Chesterfield County and the City of Virginia Beach.
c. All localities shall seek federal funding prior to receiving funding from the Department.  In the event that federal funds are not available, the Department may consider requests for state funding for drug court program planning and implementation.  Any such applicant must demonstrate adherence to a process consistent with federal planning guidelines.
3.  The Department, with the assistance of the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court, shall continue the study of structural, funding and service guidelines for Virginia's drug court programs as established by Senate Joint Resolution 399 (1999).  This action represents the interim recommendations developed as a result of Senate Joint Resolution 399.  The Department shall continue the collaborative work group established pursuant to this resolution.  The Department shall provide a progress report to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees no later than October 1, 2000, and a final report no later than October 1, 2001.
4. Out of these amounts, the Department is authorized to fund two positions to provide technical and administrative support for drug court programs.
5. The Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court shall provide such assistance in the planning, development and implementation of drug court programs as may be required."

Explanation
(This amendment implements the recommendations of the work group established pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 399 of 1999 and provides an interim funding mechanism using Dedicated Special Revenues. The source of the nongeneral funds is the Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdictions Fund.)