SB1465: Virginia State Crime Commission; designating review panel, cases involving Mary Jane Burton, report.

Legislative Summary

Virginia State Crime Commission; review panel; cases involving Mary Jane Burton; report. Directs the Virginia State Crime Commission (the Crime Commission) to designate a panel, consisting of members outlined in the bill, to review the following types of cases at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science where testing or analysis was performed by Mary Jane Burton: (i) cases resulting in convictions of persons who are currently incarcerated, or who were executed or exonerated, and (ii) cases where Burton testified, regardless of the final disposition of the case. However, the panel shall prioritize the review of such cases resulting in convictions of persons who are currently incarcerated. The bill provides that the Crime Commission shall provide staff support to the panel, and may request and shall receive support from other state or local government agencies. The bill provides that the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act do not apply to this panel or its review, or to any information received by or disseminated to any state or local government agency, private organization, or other entity for purposes of this review. The bill directs the panel to report on its work to the Crime Commission by the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly until completion of this review. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia State Crime Commission. This bill is identical to HB 2730.