SB 362 — First offender drug program; previous misdemeanor marijuana conviction, etc.
Last action — Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0785)
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House of Delegates
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 09, 2024. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin (Republican) on April 17, 2024.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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1 sponsor
1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 7 recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
Summary
First-time drug offenders. Provides that any person who has not previously been convicted of any felony drug offense under relevant law or under any substantially similar statute of the United States or of any state may be eligible for first-time drug offender disposition. Under current law, such disposition is limited to any person who has not been convicted of any criminal drug offense. This bill is identical to HB 452.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
51 added · 53 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent amendment to Bill SB 362 updates the section on first offenses related to drug possession, specifically addressing how previous misdemeanor marijuana convictions are treated. The new wording clarifies that individuals with past misdemeanor marijuana convictions can still potentially qualify for a first offender program without facing guilt judgments. This change matters because it provides a more lenient approach for those with prior marijuana offenses, reflecting evolving attitudes toward marijuana use and emphasizing rehabilitation rather than punishment.
RECONVENED SESSION REENROLLED VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY --–– 2024 RECONVENED SESSION CHAPTER 785R An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-251 of the Code of Virginia, relating to first offender drugdrugE program;
E N [S 362] ApprovedR AprilApproved 17, 2024 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
O 1.
L § 18.2-251.
drug tests;tests;L costs and fees;
costs and fees;
E Whenever any person who has not previously been convicted of any criminal offense under this articlestimulant, depressant, or underhallucinogenic anydrugs, statutewith of the Unitedexception States or of any statemisdemeanor relatingconviction toforana, narcotic drugs, marijuana, or possession of marijuana, or has not previously had a proceeding against him for violation of such an offense dismissed as provided in this section, or except a dismissal of a misdemeanor offense for possession of marijuana, pleads guilty to or enters a plea of not guilty to possession of a controlled substance under § 18.2-250, the court, upon such plea if the facts found by the court would justify a finding of guilt, without entering a judgment of guilt and with the consent of the accused, may defer furtherproceedings, proceedingsat andthat placetime himthe oncourt probationshall upondetermine termswhether the clerk of court has been provided with the fingerprint identification information or fingerprints of the person, taken by a law-enforcement officer pursuant to § 19.2-390, and, if not, shall order that the fingerprints and conditions.photograph of the pe6son be taken by a law-enforcement officer.
IfE theAs courta defersterm furtheror proceedings,condition, at that time the court shall determinerequire whether the clerkaccused ofto courtundergo hasa beensubstance providedabuse withass2ssment thepursuant fingerprintto identification§ information18.2-251.01 or fingerprints19.2-299.2, ofas theappropriate, person,and takenenter bytreatment aand/or law-enforcementeducation officerprogram pursuantor tobased §upon 19.2-390,consideration and, if not, shall order that the fingerprints and photograph of the personsubstance beabuse takenassessment. by a law-enforcement officer.
AsThe aprogram term or condition,services themay courtbe shalllocated requireinaccused the accusedjudicial todistrict undergoin awhich substancethe abusecharge assessmentis pursuantbrought to § 18.2-251.01 or 19.2-299.2,in asany appropriate,other andjudicial enterdistrict treatmentas and/or education program or services, if available, such as, in the opinioncourt of the court, may beprovide. best suited to the needs of the accused based upon consideration of the substance abuse assessment.
The program or services may be located in the judicial district in which the charge is brought or in any other judicial district as the court may provide.
The court shall require the person entering such program under the provisions of this section to pay all or part of the costs of the program, including the costs of the screening, assessment, testing, and treatment, based upon the accused's ability to pay unless the person is determined by the court to be indigent.
As a condition of probation, the court shall require the accused (a) to successfully complete treatment or education program or services, (b) to remain drug and alcohol free during the period of probation and submit to such tests during that period as may be necessary and appropriate to determine if the accused is drug and alcohol free, (c) to make reasonable efforts to secure and maintain employment, and (d) to comply with a plan of at least 100 hours of community service for a felony and up to 24 hours ofof(d) to community service for a misdemeanor.
Discharge and dismissal under this section shallin besubsequent withoutproceedings.ion adjudication of guilt and is a conviction only for the purposes of applying Notwithstanding any other provision of this sectionsection, inwhenever subsequenta proceedings.court places an individual on probation upon terms and conditions pursuant to this section, such action shall be treated as a conviction for purposes of § 22.1-315.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, whenever a court places an individual on probation upon terms and conditions pursuant to this section, such action shall be treated as a conviction for purposes of § 22.1-315.
View plain text versions (6)
- SB362ER2 View text pdf April 17, 2024
- CHAP0785 View text Current pdf April 17, 2024
- Substitute Governor's substitute printed 24109199D-S1 pdf March 22, 2024
- SB362ER View text pdf February 26, 2024
- Engrossed Printed as engrossed 24100119D-E pdf January 17, 2024
- Prefiled Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24100119D pdf January 09, 2024
Action History
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Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0785)
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Enacted, Chapter 785 (effective 7/1/24)
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Signed by Speaker as reenrolled
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Signed by President as reenrolled
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Reenrolled bill text (SB362ER2)
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Reenrolled
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Governor's recommendation adopted
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BLOCK VOTE: (97-Y 0-N)
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House concurred in Governor's recommendation BLOCK VOTE (97-Y 0-N)
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Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (40-Y 0-N)
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Governor's substitute printed 24109199D-S1
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Governor's recommendation received by Senate
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Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 8, 2024
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Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 11, 2024
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Signed by President
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Signed by Speaker
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Impact statement from DPB (SB362ER)
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Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB362ER)
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Enrolled
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VOTE: Passage (51-Y 49-N)
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Passed House (51-Y 49-N)
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Read third time
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Read second time
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Reported from Courts of Justice (12-Y 10-N)
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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
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Read first time
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Placed on Calendar
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Impact statement from DPB (SB362E)
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Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
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Printed as engrossed 24100119D-E
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Engrossed by Senate as amended SB362E
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Committee amendments agreed to
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Reading of amendments waived
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Read second time
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Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)
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Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (15-Y 0-N)
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Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered
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Moved from Judiciary to Courts of Justice due to a change of the committee name
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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
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Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24100119D
Sponsors
- Adam P. Ebbin · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on · 49 voted No
Sponsors (1)
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (147)
147 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 147 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (40)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron R. Rouse | — | Yea |
| Angelia Williams Graves | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Yea |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Yea |
| Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. | — | Yea |
| Christie New Craig | — | Yea |
| Christopher T. Head | — | Yea |
| Danica A. Roem | — | Yea |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Yea |
| David W. Marsden | — | Yea |
| Ebbin, Adam P. | — | Yea |
| Emily M. Jordan | — | Yea |
| Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. | — | Yea |
| Hashmi, Ghazala F. | — | Yea |
| J.D. "Danny" Diggs | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Lamont Bagby | — | Yea |
| Lashrecse D. Aird | — | Yea |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Yea |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Yea |
| McGuire, John J., III | — | Yea |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Yea |
| Russet Perry | — | Yea |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Yea |
| Saddam Azlan Salim | — | Yea |
| Schuyler T. VanValkenburg | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Stella G. Pekarsky | — | Yea |
| Subramanyam, Suhas | — | Yea |
| T. Travis Hackworth | — | Yea |
| Tammy Brankley Mulchi | — | Yea |
| Tara A. Durant | — | Yea |
| Timmy French | — | Yea |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Yea |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 96 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 96 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 97% | 0% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (99)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 50 | 49 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 50 | 49 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 51% | 49% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (99)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 12 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 12 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 55% | 45% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (22)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Arnold, Jonathan, E. P. | — | Nay |
| Atoosa R. Reaser | — | Yea |
| Batten, Amanda E. | — | Nay |
| Cordoza, A.C. | — | Nay |
| Earley, Mark L., Jr. | — | Nay |
| James A. "Jay" Leftwich | — | Nay |
| Jason S. Ballard | — | Nay |
| Joshua E. Thomas | — | Yea |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | — | Yea |
| Karrie K. Delaney | — | Yea |
| Katrina Callsen | — | Yea |
| Maldonado, Michelle Lopes | — | Yea |
| Marcus B. Simon | — | Yea |
| Obenshain, Chris | — | Nay |
| Patrick A. Hope | — | Yea |
| Phil M. Hernandez | — | Yea |
| Rae Cousins | — | Yea |
| Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. | — | Yea |
| Terry G. Kilgore | — | Nay |
| Vivian E. Watts | — | Yea |
| Will Davis | — | Nay |
| Wren M. Williams | — | Nay |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (40)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron R. Rouse | — | Yea |
| Angelia Williams Graves | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Yea |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Yea |
| Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. | — | Yea |
| Christie New Craig | — | Yea |
| Christopher T. Head | — | Yea |
| Danica A. Roem | — | Yea |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Yea |
| David W. Marsden | — | Yea |
| Ebbin, Adam P. | — | Yea |
| Emily M. Jordan | — | Yea |
| Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. | — | Yea |
| Hashmi, Ghazala F. | — | Yea |
| J.D. "Danny" Diggs | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Lamont Bagby | — | Yea |
| Lashrecse D. Aird | — | Yea |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Yea |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Yea |
| McGuire, John J., III | — | Yea |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Yea |
| Russet Perry | — | Yea |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Yea |
| Saddam Azlan Salim | — | Yea |
| Schuyler T. VanValkenburg | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Stella G. Pekarsky | — | Yea |
| Subramanyam, Suhas | — | Yea |
| T. Travis Hackworth | — | Yea |
| Tammy Brankley Mulchi | — | Yea |
| Tara A. Durant | — | Yea |
| Timmy French | — | Yea |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Yea |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 38 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 38 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 97% | 0% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (39)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron R. Rouse | — | Yea |
| Angelia Williams Graves | — | Yea |
| Barbara A. Favola | — | Yea |
| Bill DeSteph | — | Yea |
| Bryce E. Reeves | — | Yea |
| Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. | — | Yea |
| Christie New Craig | — | Yea |
| Christopher T. Head | — | Yea |
| Danica A. Roem | — | Yea |
| David R. Suetterlein | — | Yea |
| David W. Marsden | — | Yea |
| Ebbin, Adam P. | — | Yea |
| Emily M. Jordan | — | Yea |
| Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. | — | Yea |
| Hashmi, Ghazala F. | — | Yea |
| J.D. "Danny" Diggs | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Jeremy S. McPike | — | Yea |
| L. Louise Lucas | — | Yea |
| Lamont Bagby | — | Yea |
| Lashrecse D. Aird | — | Not Voting |
| Mamie E. Locke | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Yea |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Yea |
| McGuire, John J., III | — | Yea |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Yea |
| Russet Perry | — | Yea |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Yea |
| Saddam Azlan Salim | — | Yea |
| Schuyler T. VanValkenburg | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Stella G. Pekarsky | — | Yea |
| Subramanyam, Suhas | — | Yea |
| T. Travis Hackworth | — | Yea |
| Tara A. Durant | — | Yea |
| Timmy French | — | Yea |
| Todd E. Pillion | — | Yea |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (15)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. | — | Yea |
| Emily M. Jordan | — | Yea |
| Jennifer B. Boysko | — | Yea |
| Lamont Bagby | — | Yea |
| Lashrecse D. Aird | — | Yea |
| Mark D. Obenshain | — | Yea |
| Mark J. Peake | — | Yea |
| R. Creigh Deeds | — | Yea |
| Richard H. Stuart | — | Yea |
| Russet Perry | — | Yea |
| Ryan T. McDougle | — | Yea |
| Saddam Azlan Salim | — | Yea |
| Scott A. Surovell | — | Yea |
| Subramanyam, Suhas | — | Yea |
| William M. Stanley, Jr. | — | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 362 do?
- First-time drug offenders. Provides that any person who has not previously been convicted of any felony drug offense under relevant law or under any substantially similar statute of the United States or of any state may be eligible for first-time drug offender disposition. Under current law, such disposition is limited to any person who has not been convicted of any criminal drug offense. This bill is identical to HB 452.
- Who sponsors SB 362?
- SB 362 is sponsored by Adam P. Ebbin.
- What is the current status of SB 362?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 09, 2024. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 362?
- Track SB 362 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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