(SB778)

GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 778, which establishes the age of a delinquent child.

Although this bill appears to address some of my concerns from legislation vetoed last year, it does not address the potential loss of restitution that could benefit victims of acts committed by children under 11 or provide adequate deterrence to street gangs from the heinous act of recruiting children under 11 to commit crimes.

Furthermore, the bill remains a solution in search of a problem and serves as an unnecessary reduction in the discretion of our judicial system that continues to serve its purpose in protecting our Commonwealth and most importantly our youth.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.