Bill > HJR21

This resolution directs the Virginia State Crime Commission to study and propose recommendations for a model policy framework to improve how veterans involved in the criminal justice system are treated and sentenced. The study will consider existing research showing that veterans are more likely to have conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can contribute to criminal justice involvement, and that they are often underidentified and receive inconsistent support. The commission will review best practices, develop a framework that includes broad eligibility for treatment programs, uniform alternatives to prosecution and incarceration, diversion programs, and sentencing options that recognize veteran status as a mitigating factor. It will also examine current sentencing guidelines to allow for more judicial discretion for veterans, recommend ways to increase alternative sentencing options in areas lacking specialized services, and estimate the funding needed for the proposed framework. The Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission will provide technical assistance, and all state agencies will cooperate. The commission is to complete its work by November 30, 2026, and submit an executive summary of its findings and recommendations by the start of the 2027 legislative session.

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HJ21