2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26104759D

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 276

Offered March 9, 2026

Commending Meredith Farrar-Owens.

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Patrons—Cousins and Gardner; Senator: McDougle

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WHEREAS, on August 31, 2025, Meredith Farrar-Owens retired as director of the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission after 35 years of outstanding contributions to the justice system in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University, Meredith Farrar-Owens has provided her diligence, work ethic, leadership, and expertise to the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission since its inception; and

WHEREAS, Meredith Farrar-Owens helped the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission fulfill its duties to develop, implement, and administer discretionary felony sentencing guidelines used in circuit courts throughout the Commonwealth, ensuring consistency, certainty, and fairness; and

WHEREAS, during her tenure with the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission, Meredith Farrar-Owens oversaw crucial research into criminal justice issues, such as offender risk assessment, recidivism, and violations of probation, and promoted education through training courses, seminars, and a variety of publications; and

WHEREAS, on many occasions, Meredith Farrar-Owens provided data to members of the General Assembly to assist with better policy and drafting of laws; and

WHEREAS, Meredith Farrar-Owens is also a past president of the National Association of Sentencing Commissions and a former member of the Commonwealth's Drug Court Evaluation Committee and Juvenile Justice Human Research Review Committee; and

WHEREAS, among many accolades over the course of her career, Meredith Farrar-Owens received the Richard P. Kern Memorial Award, a prestigious honor from the National Association of Sentencing Commissions, which is named for a former director of the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission and recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the development of sentencing policy and research; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Meredith Farrar-Owens on the occasion of her retirement as director of the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Meredith Farrar-Owens as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her professional achievements and best wishes on her well-earned retirement.