HB2520 - ericsundberg/legwiki GitHub Wiki
| House | Senate | Conference | Governor | ||||||||||||
| Committee | Floor | Committee | Floor | ||||||||||||
| Referred to Committee | Referred to Subcommittee | Subcommittee | Committee | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Referred to Committee | Referred to Subcommittee | Subcommittee | Committee | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | ||
| Public Safety | Public Safety | On agenda 1/30 | Passed | Passed | Passed | Passed | General Laws & Technology / Finance | -- | -- | On agenda 2/17 | |||||
Virginia military forces; Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Program established. Establishes the Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Program (the Program) within the Department of Military Affairs. The bill also establishes the Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Officer (the Officer) to perform victim advocacy services, including helping victims of certain criminal sexual assault offenses make either a restricted report or an unrestricted report, as those terms are defined in the bill. Restricted and unrestricted reports may be made (i) by a person who is a member of the Virginia military forces, defined in the bill as the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia Defense Force, or (ii) against a member of the Virginia military forces. The bill directs the Adjutant General, in coordination with the Officer, to submit an annual report to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the chairmen of both the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice. The annual report shall include relevant information enumerated in the bill, including implementation and effectiveness of the Program's policies and procedures, as well as statistical information about restricted reports and unrestricted reports.
- Joshua G. Cole (chief patron)
- Karrie K. Delaney (Chief Co-Patron)
- Michael B. Feggans (Chief Co-Patron)
- Jackie H. Glass (Chief Co-Patron)
- Joshua E. Thomas (Chief Co-Patron)
- Bonita G. Anthony
- Alex Q. Askew
- Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker
- David L. Bulova
- Katrina Callsen
- Betsy B. Carr
- Nadarius E. Clark
- Laura Jane Cohen
- Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler
- Rae Cousins
- Debra D. Gardner
- C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.
- Dan I. Helmer
- Rozia A. Henson, Jr.
- Phil M. Hernandez
- Charniele L. Herring
- Patrick A. Hope
- Karen Keys-Gamarra
- Paul E. Krizek
- Alfonso H. Lopez
- Michelle Lopes Maldonado
- Marty Martinez
- Adele Y. McClure
- Delores L. McQuinn
- Candi Mundon King
- Marcia S. "Cia" Price
- Sam Rasoul
- Atoosa R. Reaser
- Holly M. Seibold
- Briana D. Sewell
- Irene Shin
- Mark D. Sickles
- Marcus B. Simon
- Shelly A. Simonds
- Luke E. Torian
- Kathy K.L. Tran
- Jeion A. Ward
- Vivian E. Watts
- Rodney T. Willett
- Barbara A. Favola
- Saddam Azlan Salim
The language of HB2520 can be viewed here.
Distinguished Mr. Chairman and esteemed members of the committee, the drafter offered an a substitute to address a technical concern; I'd ask that we move the substitute.
I am honored to present to you House Bill 2520, which seeks to establish the Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Program within the Department of Military Affairs. This initiative is imperative to ensure that the members of the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia Defense Force are granted access to essential victim advocacy services and a transparent process for reporting incidents of sexual assault.
House Bill 2520 assigns a Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Officer to assist victims in the submission of restricted or unrestricted reports of sexual offenses, thereby providing them with the necessary support and resources. Furthermore, it mandates the Adjutant General to submit an annual report outlining the program’s implementation and effectiveness, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability.
It is incumbent upon us to pass this legislation, as safeguarding the well-being of our service members is not merely optional; it is our obligation. Sexual violence poses a grave concern within military environments, and without a structured, victim-centered response program, survivors may encounter feelings of silence, lack of support, and absence of recourse. By instituting this program, the Commonwealth of Virginia will enhance the dignity of our military personnel, promote a culture of prevention, and ensure justice for those affected.
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Chair and Members of the Committee,
HB2520 establishes the Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Program within the Department of Military Affairs, ensuring that victims of sexual assault in military environments receive the advocacy and support they need.
The need for this program is clear. A 2024 Brown University report found that while the military officially reported 25,000 sexual assaults, further investigation suggested the real number was closer to 80,000. Survivors often face silence, lack of support, and few options for recourse. HB2520 follows Texas’ lead in creating a structured, victim-centered response program.
This is a necessary and overdue step to provide survivors with the support they deserve. This bill passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support: 93 to 3. I hope it would be the will of the committee to report the bill.
HB 2520 establishes the Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Program within the Department of Military Affairs, ensuring victims of sexual assault in military environments receive advocacy and support.
A 2024 Brown University report found military sexual assaults are vastly underreported—80,000 incidents versus 25,000 officially reported. Survivors often face silence and lack of recourse.
This bill follows Texas’ precedent and creates an independent officer to assist victims. It also requires annual reporting for transparency.
The bill passed the House 93 to 3.
Mr. Speaker,
I move that the House reject the Senate’s substitute for HB2520.
This substitute fundamentally alters the bill’s intent. HB2520 was designed to establish a Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Program within Virginia’s military forces—creating a dedicated officer, reporting structures, and oversight mechanisms.
The Senate’s version strips these provisions and instead reduces the bill to an extension of existing protective order laws. HB2520 and SB957 were never the same bill—they serve distinct purposes, and the Senate should not have conformed our legislation to theirs.
For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to reject the Senate’s version and insist on the House-passed bill.
Thank you, Mr. speaker—
HB2520 when it left this body, established a independent office to investigate sexual assault claims for VA military forces. The Governor’s substitute turns this into a study: that dishonors our service members and survivors of sexual assault.
Mr. Speaker, I move adoption of the recommendation and I ask that the members reject the motion.
HB2520 establishes the Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Program within the Department of Military Affairs.
The bill provides a state-guarantee that a Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Officer will perform victim advocacy services, including helping victims of certain criminal sexual assault offenses make either a restricted report or an unrestricted report.
This legislation follows precedent. Texas has already passed similar legislation (SB 632 - 2021). Sexual violence poses a concern in military environments, and without a structured, victim-centered program, survivors may encounter feelings of silence, lack of support, and absence of recourse.
A 2024 Brown University report found that sexual misconduct is greatly underreported. The armed forces officially reported 25,000 sexual assaults when further investigation found evidence for 80,000 incidents.
Yes, but no fiscal impact. The Department of Planning and Budget reported no fiscal impact on state agencies.
• Establishes a Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Program with an independent officer for victim support.
• Requires the Adjutant General and Officer to submit an annual report to state leaders.
• Annual report includes program effectiveness and statistics on reports.
• Unrestricted reports trigger law enforcement investigations and annual reviews.