2025 SESSION
INTRODUCED
25103245D
SENATE BILL NO. 1355
Offered January 13, 2025
Prefiled January 13, 2025
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 15 of Title 19.2 an article numbered 4.3, consisting of a section numbered 19.2-264.15, relating to discovery; electronic means; report.
PatronSrinivasan
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 15 of Title 19.2 an article numbered 4.3, consisting of a section numbered 19.2-264.15, as follows:
Article 4.3.
Electronic Discovery.
19.2-264.15. Discovery; electronic means.
All attorneys for the Commonwealth shall provide discovery materials for all courts to counsel of record for the accused by electronic means unless such materials are prohibited from being distributed by law or impossible to provide by electronic means.
2. That the Supreme Court of Virginia shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of 19.2-264.15 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, by July 1, 2027.
3. That the provisions of the first enactment of this act shall become effective on January 1, 2028.
4. That the Executive Secretary of the Compensation Board, or a designee, shall convene a work group consisting of representatives of the Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys, Commonwealth's Attorneys' Services Council, Indigent Defense Commission, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Virginia State Police, and Department of Planning and Budget, staff of the House Committee on Appropriations and Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations, and other stakeholders as appropriate to determine the costs associated with any changes in operations and technology infrastructure necessary to implement the provisions of this act. The Executive Secretary of the Compensation Board shall provide an interim report to the General Assembly by November 30, 2025, and a final report to the General Assembly by August 1, 2026.