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2011 Session

Budget Amendments - HB1500 (Conference Report)

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JLARC Review of Sexually Violent Predator Program (language only)

Item 30 #3c

Item 30 #3c

Legislative Department
Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission

Language
Page 17, after line 45, insert:
"H.1.  The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) shall undertake a comprehensive review of the civil commitment of sexually violent predators at the Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation (VCBR) and the conditional release program administered by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.
2.  The review shall examine current law and commitment practices related to the treatment of sexually violent predators currently committed to the VCBR, including convictions and time served for predicate crimes; the screening and assessment process for identifying those individuals who could be eligible for civil commitment as sexually violent predators, including the use of the current risk assessment instrument; the commitment review process; and the impact of these factors on the projected numbers of individuals likely to be civilly committed.
3.  In addition, the review shall examine the current policies and practices of other states' programs for the involuntary civil commitment of sexually violent predators and conditional release programs and determine how those policies and practices compare to the current program operated in Virginia.  The review shall also examine the costs of providing for the civil commitment of sexually violent predators at VCBR, including an analysis of security and treatment staff ratios, and the provision of other services.  
The review shall also include any cost-effective, best practices identified in other state civil commitment programs.
4.  The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department of Corrections, the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission, the Virginia Crime Commission and the Office of the Attorney General shall provide, upon request, technical assistance as needed to JLARC during this review.
5.  For the purpose of completing this review, JLARC staff are authorized to possess, copy, and use all records, including records under seal, from all state and local courts, clerks, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions, including but not limited to: the Department of Corrections, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Office of the Attorney General, offices of attorneys for the Commonwealth, Virginia State Police, local police and sheriffs' departments, the Department of Juvenile Justice, court services units, community services boards, state and local departments of social services, and probation and parole districts. Upon request, the records, documents, notes, recordings or other information of any kind shall be provided to JLARC staff within 20 days of receiving such request.
6.  The Commission shall provide a final report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than November 30, 2011."


Explanation
(This language amendment requires JLARC to conduct a comprehensive review of the civil commitment of sexually violent predators and the conditional release program administered by the department. The review must examine current law and commitment practices in the program including convictions and time served for predicate crimes, the screening and assessment process for civil commitment of sexually violent predators, including the use of the current risk assessment instrument, the commitment review process, and the impact of these factors on individuals likely to be civilly committed. In addition, the review shall compare other states' programs for the involuntary civil commitment of sexually violent predators and conditional release programs to the Commonwealth's program. The review shall also examine the costs of providing for the civil commitment of sexually violent predators at VCBR, including an analysis of security and treatment staff ratios, and the provision of other services. The review shall also include any cost-effective, best practices identified in other state civil commitment programs. Relevant state agencies, legislative commissions and the Office of the Attorney General are required to provide technical assistance to JLARC. Language authorizes JLARC staff to use records, including records under seal, from all state and local courts, clerks, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions. The Commission must provide a final report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than November 30, 2011.)