Federal Legislation

Democracy Restoration Act of 2009 (HR 3335)
Rep. John Conyers

Democracy Restoration Act of 2009 - Declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or facility. Provides for enforcement and remedies for violations of this Act. Specifies that: (1) nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit a state from enacting any state law that affords the right to vote in any election for federal office on terms less restrictive than those terms established by this Act; and (2) the rights and remedies established by this Act shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by law, and shall not supersede, restrict, or limit the application of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 or the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Prohibits any state, unit of local government, or other person from receiving or using any federal grant amounts to construct or improve a place of incarceration unless that person has a program to notify each U.S. citizen incarcerated in that person's jurisdiction, on release from such incarceration, of that individual's rights under this Act.

Link to Full Bill Text

Senator Russell Feingold

Democracy Restoration Act of 2009 - Declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or facility. Provides for enforcement and remedies for violations of this Act. Specifies that: (1) nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit a state from enacting any state law that affords the right to vote in any election for federal office on terms less restrictive than those terms established by this Act; and (2) the rights and remedies established by this Act shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by law, and shall not supersede, restrict, or limit the application of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 or the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Prohibits any state, unit of local government, or other person from receiving or using any federal grant amounts to construct or improve a place of incarceration unless that person has a program to notify each U.S. citizen incarcerated in that person's jurisdiction, on release from such incarceration, of that individual's rights under this Act.

Link to Full Bill Text

Virginia Legislation

Current legislation to amend the Virginia Constitution as it relates to voting rights for ex-offenders.

Legislation relating to expungement of criminal records

Senator Yvonne Miller
SJ 62 Constitutional amendment; restoration of civil rights for persons convicted of felonies

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); restoration of civil rights. Authorizes the General Assembly to provide by law for the restoration of civil rights for persons convicted of nonviolent felonies who have completed service of their sentences subject to the conditions, requirements, and definitions set forth in that law. The present Constitution provides for restoration of rights by the Governor. The amendment retains the right of the Governor to restore civil rights and adds the alternative for restoration of rights pursuant to law.

Full text:
01/12/10 Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10103240D pdf

Status:
01/12/10 Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10103240D
01/12/10 Senate: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/19/10 Senate: Continued to 2011 in Privileges and Elections (15-Y 0-N)

Senator Donald McEachin
SB 70 Criminal conviction record; person convicted of certain offenses to petition for expungement

Expungement of criminal conviction record. Allows a person convicted of certain criminal offenses to petition to have his conviction expunged after a five-year period has expired following the conviction, upon a showing that his opportunities for employment, education, or professional licensure are prejudiced by the existence of the criminal record. Expungement would not be available for someone convicted of a violent felony, a DUI-related offense, an offense for which registration on the sex offender registry is required, or domestic violence.

Full text:
01/04/10 Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10103277D pdf

Status:
01/04/10 Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10103277D
01/04/10 Senate: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/12/10 Senate: Assigned Courts sub: Criminal

Delegate Betsy Carr
HJ 116 Constitutional amendment; restoration of civil rights for persons convicted of felonies

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); restoration of civil rights. Authorizes the General Assembly to provide by general law for the restoration of civil rights for persons convicted of felonies who have completed service of their sentence including any period or condition of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. The present Constitution provides for restoration of rights by the Governor. The amendment retains the right of the Governor to restore civil rights and adds the alternative for restoration of rights pursuant to general law.

Full text:
01/13/10 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10102460D pdf

Status:
01/13/10 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10102460D
01/13/10 House: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

Delegate Algie T. Howell
HJ 6 Constitutional amendment; restoration of civil rights for persons convicted of nonviolent felonies

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); restoration of civil rights. Authorizes the General Assembly to provide by law for the restoration of civil rights for persons convicted of nonviolent felonies who have completed service of their sentences subject to the conditions, requirements, and definitions set forth in that law. The present Constitution provides for restoration of rights by the Governor. The amendment retains the right of the Governor to restore civil rights and adds an alternative for restoration of rights pursuant to law for nonviolent felons.

Full text:
11/19/09 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10100322D pdf

Status:
11/19/09 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10100322D

Delegate Rosalind Dance
HJ 16 Constitutional amendment; restoration of civil rights to persons convicted of felonies, etc

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); restoration of civil rights. Authorizes the General Assembly to provide by general law for the restoration of civil rights for persons convicted of felonies who have completed service of their sentence including any period or condition of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. The present Constitution provides for restoration of rights by the Governor. The amendment retains the right of the Governor to restore civil rights and adds the alternative for restoration of rights pursuant to general law.

Full text:
12/28/09 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10101654D pdf

Status:
12/28/09 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10101654D
12/28/09 House: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections