Governor Kaine Signs Legislation Boosting Penalties, Monitoring of Predators
– Package signed during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week –

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today signed legislation adopted by the 2006 General Assembly that changes the way Virginia monitors, incarcerates, and treats violent sexual offenders. The Governor was joined at today’s event by Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, who championed several of the bills, and by state lawmakers, law enforcement, advocates for crime victims, and others.

“It is entirely appropriate that we highlight this bipartisan success at the beginning of National Crime Victims' Rights Week,” Governor Kaine said. “These new tools will help our police and prosecutors track, treat, and punish those who pose a threat to our children and others in our communities. We will work with the legislature to identify appropriate funding to implement these initiatives.”

Governor Kaine signed 12 bills today, including legislation that: 

• Implements the provisions of Jessica’s Law, pioneered by the state of Florida in response to the 2005 kidnapping and murder of nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford. The legislation includes tougher mandatory sentences, and a requirement that some registered sex offenders wear electronic tracking devices.  HB 846 (Albo)
• Implements improvements and 55 statutory changes to Virginia’s Sex Offender Registry laws. A June 2005 review by the Virginia Crime Commission found numerous instances in which Registry records contained incomplete or inaccurate information. Virginia adds about 1,100 new sex offenders to the Registry each year. HB 984 (Sherwood)
• Improves the screening process for sexually violent offenders. Virginia is one of only 16 states that allows for the civil commitment of sexually violent predators. Since the passage and funding of the SVP law, Virginia has committed 28 individuals. This legislation increases the number and type of sexual offenses to be screened for possible civil commitment. HB 1038 (Griffith)
• Establishes an Office of Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Services within the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services to monitor and forecast SVP populations. HB 1037 (Hamilton)

In addition to the legislation listed above, Governor Kaine also signed Senate Bill 559, sponsored by Sen. Ken Stolle, which is an omnibus measure incorporating the House bills.

“Those who harm innocent children have no place in our society, and this legislation makes every child in Virginia safer,” Attorney General McDonnell said.

“When I ran for Attorney General I made toughening penalties for, and increasing monitoring of, sexual predators my number one campaign promise. This has been an effort that has brought Republicans and Democrats together, and together we have made the Commonwealth of Virginia a safer, and better, place. I commend Governor Kaine, and the members of the General Assembly for this bipartisan effort,” McDonnell said.

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