Capitol Briefs: Disciplinary notice bill advances

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The House Courts of Justice Committee takes up bills dealing with illegal immigration.

Bill on pregnant inmates rejected

A House Militia and Police subcommittee on Thursday killed a bill that would effectively prohibit the shackling of pregnant female inmates during labor and delivery.

House Bill 836, sponsored by Dels. Patrick A. Hope, D-Arlington, and James M. LeMunyon, R-Fairfax, had received widespread support from women's rights groups and conservative faith-based groups who often oppose each other on issues such as abortion and adoption.

The groups had presented documentation of instances in which pregnant inmates in Virginia have been shackled while giving birth, despite Department of Corrections guidelines advising jailers to use the least restraining methods necessary.

The Virginia Sheriff's Association opposed the bill, arguing that it does not support the practice and that codifying a prohibition would take away their flexibility under current regulations to take necessary steps to ensure public safety.

Party affiliation rule rejected

Senators on Thursday defeated a measure that would have required all registered voters to declare their party affiliation or independent status, effectively killing the measure for the year.

Senate Bill 62, sponsored by Sen. William M. Stanley Jr., R-Franklin County, was defeated 24-16. Similar measures failed to escape a House committee. Critics said the measure would have suppressed votes in primary elections and cost millions to implement.

Stronger abuse reporting backed

The state Senate on Thursday voted 37-3 to endorse Senate Bill 239, which strengthens requirements on reporting sexual abuse of children.

Sponsored by Sen. Richard H. Stuart, R-Stafford, and several other Republican and Democratic members, the legislation would decrease the time during which sexual abuse must be reported from 72 hours to 24 hours.

It would also increase the fine on people who fail to report abuse involving rape, sodomy and sexual penetration, raising a second violation of the law from a maximum $1,000 fine to a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and up to a year in jail.

Disciplinary notice bill advances

A bill that would require parents of public school students to be notified before disciplinary action to expel their children sailed through the Senate Education and Health Committee Thursday on a unanimous vote.

But similar measures were tabled in a House of Delegates subcommittee for consideration next year, jeopardizing the legislation's chances.

Senate Bill 167, sponsored by Sen. J. Chapman Petersen, D-Fairfax, was filed in response to concern that the process governing school discipline in some districts is unfair, does not involve parents early enough and offers limited opportunities for involvement.

Supporters of the measure include the families of two students in Northern Virginia whose sons committed suicide in the aftermath of school disciplinary proceedings.

Senate Bill 167 now heads to the full Senate for consideration.