Panel reports bill to allow judges to exclude pretrial statements by people with developmental disabilities Senate Bill 198 would permit a judge to deem a pretrial statement inadmissible if an assessment shows a defendant's autism or intellectual/developmental disability likely influenced the decision to speak; the subcommittee adopted line amendments and reported the bill with a 7–3 vote.

Virginia's Senate Bill 198 could change the game for defendants with autism and developmental disabilities by allowing judges to exclude potentially coerced statements made before counsel is appointed.

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#VA #VirginiaDevelopmentalDisabilities #DisabilityRights #LegalProtections

Committee advances two bills to require medical emergency drills for developmental-disability providers and to sanction repeat violators The House Committee on Health and Human Services reported HB 13 70 (medical emergency drills) as amended and sent HB 13 80 (sanctions for repeated violations) to appropriations after debate about training, stakeholder input and enforcement. Advocates cited a Disability Law Center of Virginia report on delayed emergency responses.

Virginia's House Committee is taking a bold step to save lives by advancing new regulations for emergency training in facilities serving those with developmental disabilities.

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#VA #VirginiaDevelopmentalDisabilities #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #EmergencyResponse