May 8, 2012

Governor Bob McDonnell Tuesday signed into law 13 pieces of legislation to support and protect victims of crime, specifically human trafficking and domestic violence victims.

The legislation includes measures to enhance campus safety, combat human trafficking and strengthen enforcement of protective orders for victims of domestic violence.

Among the bills signed Tuesday were two introduced by Del. Rob Bell (R-Albemarle). They are:

HB965 (R.Bell)/SB302 (Howell) Requires Mutual Aid Agreements Investigating Deaths and Alleged Rapes on College Campuses

- Requires campus police to enter into mutual aid agreements with an adjacent local law-enforcement agency or the State Police for cooperation in providing assistance with the investigation of deaths and alleged rapes occurring on college campuses.

HB969 (R. Bell) and SB301 (Howell) Improve Campus Sexual Assault Response Teams

- Requires each attorney for the Commonwealth to invite any chiefs of campus police of institutions of higher education located within the jurisdiction to the annual Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) meeting.

“The preservation of peace and protection from violence in our classrooms, playgrounds and neighborhoods remains a fundamental role of government," the Governor said. "Unfortunately, every year thousands of innocent Virginians suffer from the devastating impact of crime. Criminal acts put victims and their families through debilitating emotional, physical, psychological, and financial harm.”

For the signing at Northern Virginia Community College, Gov. McDonnell was joined by members of the Governor's Domestic Violence Prevention and Response Advisory Board, victims of crime, public safety officials, family members of victims and elected officials.