Virginia Senate advances block of bills, approves changes on juvenile prosecution age, photo-speed monitoring and driver card durations

The Virginia Senate met Jan. 22, 2025, and approved a block of uncontested measures while individually debating and passing several bills that drew extended floor discussion.

Senators voted to place multiple uncontested bills on final passage as a block and approved them by voice or recorded tally. On the regular calendar the chamber debated Senate Bill 778, which establishes a minimum age for prosecution in juvenile court; Senate Bill 852, which addresses use of retired sworn law enforcement officers for review of photo-speed monitoring device violations; and Senate Bill 1302, which extends the expiration period for certain limited-duration driver licenses and privilege cards. Each debated bill was passed by recorded vote.

Senate Bill 778 establishes a minimum age of 11 for prosecution in juvenile court and specifies that children younger than 11 may instead be handled as children in need of services or supervision, with trauma-informed, community-based interventions. The bill’s substitute clarified that a child younger than 11 may be removed if deemed a danger to themselves or the community and clarified the effect of the prohibition on adjudications of delinquency. Senator Locke, the senator from Hampton, moved the bill and described the bill’s intent to route children to community-based, trauma-informed services rather than delinquency adjudication. The Senate passed SB 778 by recorded vote, Ayes 21, Noes 18; the clerk announced “Ayes 21, Noes 18” and the bill was reported as passed.

Senate Bill 852 concerns use of photo-speed monitoring…