RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday that he has taken action on 60 more bills — signing 36, amending two and vetoing 22.
In a release sent on Wednesday, March 20, Youngkin said that the bills he vetoed, many of which dealt with court proceedings, police procedure and consequences for certain crimes, would have weakened penalties for criminals and undermined public safety.
“We have a duty to protect the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia from harm. I vetoed 22 bills: which protect illegal immigrants, or impede law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges from holding criminals accountable and bringing them to justice,” said Youngkin in the release.
Notable bills vetoed by Youngkin include HB 250 and HB 972.
HB 250 would have given the Department of Criminal Justice Services the power and duty to establish training standards, as well as policies and procedures, for interrogation of juveniles and adults by law enforcement, which would have included guidance on when it is lawful to use misleading statements regarding evidence or witness statements, inauthentic documents, computer-generated audiovisual evidence or false promises of leniency.
HB 972 would have prevented defendants in criminal court from being asked about their immigration status during court proceedings unless it is admissible. It would have also required courts to inform defendants that consequences related to immigration, such as deportation, could be possible if they are found guilty of a crime.
Youngkin has until April 8 to take action on the remaining bills passed by the General Assembly before lawmakers return for the reconvened session on April 17.
More info about the bills that were signed and vetoed by Youngkin today can be found here.
