(SB1013)

GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 1013, which creates an affirmative defense for assault and battery.

The Commonwealth has made great strides in handling our mental health crisis and remains focused on providing treatment to individuals. A new, loosely defined, and excessively broad affirmative defense is unnecessary because Virginia laws already provide legal protections for individuals charged who are not criminally responsible due to mental illness.

The proposal also significantly reduces the protections afforded to law enforcement and erodes the Commonwealth Attorney's discretion in evaluating cases, needlessly introducing logistical and procedural challenges that further burden our strained court system.

This bill sends the wrong message at precisely the wrong time.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.