David Toscano

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Governor Signs Toscano Legislation to Protect Assault Victims

April 6, 2017 by Jane Dittmar

Bill expanding protection for victims of sexual violence and human trafficking to become law July 1, 2017

David J. Toscano (D-57), Democratic Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates, today announced that Gov. McAuliffe has signed HB 2217, Del. Toscano’s bill addressing confidentiality for victims of sexual violence and human trafficking.

The bill expands the types of crimes victims are eligible to participate in the address confidentiality program.  This program protects the personal information,  in particular the addresses, of crime victims. Current law permits victims of domestic violence and stalking to apply to this program. With the expansion, victims of sexual violence and human trafficking are now included. The bill also increases the period of eligibility for all crime victims participating in the program from one year to three years.

“This bill is a critical step in ensuring that survivors of horrific crimes like sexual assault get the protection and support they deserve, with the aim of helping to restore a sense of safety, security, and control as they pursue justice and healing,” said Attorney General Herring. “I am so proud this bill is becoming law, and I want to thank Gov. McAuliffe and Del. Toscano for standing with me as leaders in this fight for victims’ rights.”

In responding to the news that the bill would become law on July 1, Rebecca Weybright, Executive Director of the Sexual Assault Resource Agency in Charlottesville, said, “We are very pleased to have this confidentiality program expanded to include victims of sexual violence. This will give added options for safety. As advocates for survivors, safety planning is a crucial part of our work. We are grateful to Del. Toscano for his continuing support of services to survivors of sexual violence.”

“I was happy to carry this bill on behalf of Attorney General Mark Herring,” said Toscano.  “It will provide greater protections to those who wish to remain free of contact with their former abusers.”

The Address Confidentiality Program presently includes more than 2,000 participants.  Persons are screened by victim assistance programs and the Attorney General’s office before they can participate.

HB 2217 was introduced by Del. Toscano in January and passed the House of Delegates and the State Senate unanimously.  It was signed by the Governor and will become law on July 1, 2017.

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Filed Under: News, Press Releases Tagged With: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault Policy

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Press Releases

Toscano Statement on House and Senate Republicans’ Votes to Adjourn the Special Session

July 9, 2019

Toscano Statement on House and Senate Republicans’ Votes to Adjourn the Special Session on Gun Violence Prevention until November 18

RICHMOND –Following this afternoon’s surprise party-line votes which adjourned the Virginia General Assembly’s special session until November 18, 2019, Delegate David J. Toscano (D-57th District) released the following statement:

“House and Senate Republicans today showed Virginia that the only vote they are willing to take regarding gun violence protection is a vote to delay, delay, delay. In the face of clear support for action now, captured by multiple polls and embodied by the energetic activists who rallied at the Capitol today, they abdicated their responsibility to serve their constituents and the Commonwealth of Virginia in an appallingly cynical political move to push any votes off until after the November general election.

“I am disappointed but not surprised. Time and time again, whether it is about passing universal background checks for all gun purchases, or enacting measures that would permit a judge, after a hearing, to remove a gun from a person in a mental health crisis to prevent injury to self or others, the Republican leadership continues to stonewall and not even debate, much less pass, reasonable measures designed to reduce gun violence in the Commonwealth.”

Delegate Toscano is available today to the media for further comment.

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david@davidtoscano.com

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