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2024 Session

Budget Amendments - SB30 (Committee Approved)

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Study Expansion of Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program (language only)

Item 394 #11s

Item 394 #11s

Public Safety and Homeland Security
Department of Criminal Justice Services

Language

Page 448, after line 19, insert:

"c. The Department of Criminal Justice Services (the Department) shall convene a work group to study and make recommendations on requiring a local court-appointed special advocate (CASA) program to be established and available in every judicial district of the Commonwealth. The work group shall include the CASA Program Coordinator, representatives of at least two local CASA programs, at least two volunteer court-appointed special advocates, at least two judges of a juvenile and domestic relations district court and one judge of a circuit court sitting in a judicial district where a local CASA program is established, at least two judges of a juvenile and domestic relations district court and one judge of a circuit court sitting in a judicial district where no local CASA program has been established, a representative from the Department of Social Services, and any other stakeholders deemed appropriate by the Department. The work group shall identify any judicial districts in the Commonwealth where no local CASA program has been established and determine the feasibility, including analyzing any obstacles, of requiring the establishment of a local CASA program in every judicial district. The work group shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by November 1, 2024."



Explanation

(This amendment directs the Department of Criminal Justice Services to convene a work group to study and make recommendations on requiring a local court-appointed special advocate (CASA) program to be established and available in every judicial district of the Commonwealth and submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly by November 1, 2024.)