Bill Text: VA SB386 | 2024 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Magistrates; certain minimum standards for security and accessibility in quarters.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-28 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0237) [SB386 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SB386-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §19.2-48.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§19.2-48.1. Quarters for magistrates.
A. The counties and cities served by a magistrate or
magistrates shall provide suitable quarters for such magistrates, including a
site for any videoconferencing and other equipment necessary to provide
secure, remote access and the transmission of paperwork to such
magistrates by the public and law-enforcement officers. Insofar as
possible, such Such quarters should shall be located
in a public facility open to the public and should be
appropriate to conduct the affairs of a judicial officer as well as provide
convenient, 24-hour access to the public and law-enforcement officers.
Where practicable, such quarters shall be in a courthouse or a law-enforcement
office where business is regularly conducted and shall include an entrance,
exit, and parking for magistrates that is separate from those for members of
the public. Such quarters shall provide for the physical security of the
magistrate and shall include controlled access to interior spaces or intrusion
detection, a secure physical barrier between the magistrate and members of the
public, and a readily accessible duress button that connects the magistrate to
local law enforcement. The county or city shall also provide all furniture
and other equipment necessary for the efficient operation of the office.
B. Wherever practical, the office of magistrate shall be located at the county seat. However, offices may be located at other locations in the county, or city adjacent thereto, whenever such additional offices are necessary to effect the efficient administration of justice.
