GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION

That the amendment in the nature of a substitute (077890129) be accepted.

GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 1203, which calls for a study of options for sex offender treatment by the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services.

The enrolled bill was overly prescriptive of matters best left to the professionals in our state mental health agency.  My amendments restored broader treatment options to those professionals and were accepted by the Senate.  They were, however, rejected by the House of Delegates.  The Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services will review, on an ongoing basis, appropriate options for sex offender treatment.  This bill in its enrolled form is not necessary.

Accordingly, I am vetoing this bill.