2026 SESSION

SENATE SUBSTITUTE

26109173D

HOUSE BILL NO. 34

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations

on March 4, 2026)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Cole, J.G.)

A BILL to direct the Department of Military Affairs to assess the feasibility of and develop recommendations related to establishing a Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Officer position within the Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Program to perform victim advocacy services; report.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1 That the Department of Military Affairs (the Department) is directed to assess the feasibility of and develop recommendations related to establishing a Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Officer (the Officer) position within the Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Program (the Program) to perform victim advocacy services, including helping victims of certain criminal sexual assault offenses make restricted or unrestricted reports. In conducting such assessment and developing such recommendations, the Department shall review its existing Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Coordinator position and associated staff. The Adjutant General shall submit a report of such assessment and any recommendations to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice no later than November 1, 2026, that shall include information on the Program's role in performing victim services such as helping victims of certain criminal sexual assault offenses make restricted or unrestricted reports, including (i) a description of services provided by the Coordinator's office, (ii) personnel levels and functions, and (iii) any operational costs.