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2019 SESSION

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SB 1450 Eviction Diversion Pilot Program; established, report.

Introduced by: Mamie E. Locke | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Eviction Diversion Pilot Program. Establishes the Eviction Diversion Pilot Program (the Program), consisting of specialized dockets within the existing structure of the general district courts for the cities of Danville, Hampton, Petersburg, and Richmond. The Program is established as a pilot program that has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2020, and that expires on July 1, 2023. The purpose of the Program is to reduce the number of evictions of low-income persons. Parties to an unlawful detainer action in participating jurisdictions will be directed to participate in the Pilot Program upon certain findings by the court. The Virginia Housing Commission (the Commission) shall request data from the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia for the evaluation of the Program's effectiveness and potential benefits and costs. The bill tasks the Commission with making recommendations for legislative action to the General Assembly, the Chairmen of the Senate Committees on Finance, General Laws and Technology, and Courts of Justice, and the Chairmen of the House Committees on Appropriations, Finance, General Laws, and Courts of Justice prior to the 2023 Session. This bill is identical to HB 2655.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Eviction Diversion Pilot Program. Establishes the Eviction Diversion Pilot Program (the Program), consisting of specialized dockets within the existing structure of the general district courts for the cities of Danville, Hampton, Petersburg, and Richmond. The Program is established as a pilot program that has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2020, and that expires on July 1, 2023. The purpose of the Program is to encourage the development of consistent methods for resolving unlawful detainer actions and reduce the number of evictions of low-income persons. Parties to an unlawful detainer action in participating jurisdictions will be directed to participate in the Pilot Program upon certain findings by the court. The Executive Secretary of the Virginia Supreme Court shall submit data generated from the Program to the Virginia Housing Commission (the Commission) for the evaluation of its effectiveness and potential benefits and costs. The bill tasks the Commission with making recommendations for legislative action to the General Assembly, the Chairs of the Senate Committees on Finance and Courts of Justice, and the Chairs of the House Committees on Appropriations, Finance, and Courts of Justice prior to the 2023 Session.