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2002 SESSION

027351402
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 71
Offered January 9, 2002
Prefiled January 8, 2002
Creating a joint subcommittee to study staffing standards for sheriffs’ departments.
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Patron-- Blevins
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, Virginia’s sheriffs’ offices are responsible for operating jails, securing the courthouses, and serving process; and

WHEREAS, inadequate staffing of these functions has serious implications for local governments and the Commonwealth relative to the safety and security of citizens, sheriffs and their staffs, inmates in local correctional facilities and the efficient operation of the judicial system; and

WHEREAS, the current process for funding sheriffs’ departments is a traditional budgeting and reimbursement process that has undergone little revision in the last 50 years; and

WHEREAS, although the Compensation Board uses the staffing standards set forth in the budget in addition to requests from local departments, significant discrepancies exist between state-recognized staffing levels and actual workload in many departments; and

WHEREAS, although the 1998 General Assembly provided for an increase in staffing standards for law-enforcement deputies, this improvement benefited only those localities without police departments; and

WHEREAS, staffing standards for sheriffs’ deputies involved in jail operations, court security, and process services remain unchanged; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to develop staffing standards for sheriffs’ departments which more accurately reflect actual workloads and requirements and to determine the number and funding of additional positions that such revised standards may indicate are necessary; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the Houses of Delegates concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study staffing standards for sheriffs’ departments. The joint subcommittee shall be composed of eight members as follows: five members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; and three members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $8,000.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. Technical assistance shall be provided by the Compensation Board and the Virginia Sheriff’s Association. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its work by November 30, 2002 and shall submit its written findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 2003 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.