VA HB 555

Title: Corrections Ombudsman, Office of the Department of; created, annual report.
Author: Patrick A. Hope

Summary
Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman; created. Creates, within the Office of the State Inspector General, the Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman (the Office) headed by an Ombudsman who is selected by the State Inspector General. The bill creates the Corrections Oversight Committee (the Committee) made up of four members of the General Assembly, nine nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Governor, subject to criteria described in the bill, and two nonvoting members, appointed as described in the bill, who monitor the activities of the Ombudsman and the Department of Corrections (the Department). The bill provides the Office with authority to conduct inspections at least once every three years and more often when warranted of Department facilities and requires the Office to establish a statewide toll-free telephone number, website, mailing address, and paper and electronic forms for inmates, family members, friends, and advocates to submit complaints and inquiries. In addition, the bill requires the Committee to hold at least two public hearings per year and requires the Office to submit an annual report to be made available online and to be delivered to the Governor, the Attorney General, the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services, the House Committee on Public Safety, the Committee, and the Director of the Department. The bill directs the Office to develop a short-term and long-term strategic plan and to provide a report on its initial activities and strategic plan to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before November 15, 2025. This bill is identical to SB 456.

Status
Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 8, 2024

Bill Documents
VA HB 555 - Committee substitute printed 24107788D-S1

VA HB 555 - Printed as engrossed 24104705D-E

VA HB 555 - House amendments adopted

VA HB 555 - House subcommittee amendments and substitutes adopted

VA HB 555 - House committee amendments reported

VA HB 555 - Committee substitute printed 24108484D-S2

VA HB 555 - Conference substitute printed 24109026D-H1

VA HB 555 - Conference amendments

VA HB 555 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB555ER)

VA HB 555 - Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24104705D

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Author Details

Patrick Hope - D
Delegate - State House
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Capital Address:
201 North 9th Street, Rm 709
Richmond, VA 23219
8046981001

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VA HB 555

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