Virginia passed the bill: police chiefs across the state would now be able to declare temporary curfews during civil unrest
Last week, the Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill that would let police chiefs set temporary curfews when there is civil unrest.
Last week, the Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill that would let police chiefs set temporary curfews when there is civil unrest.
Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment wrote the bill that would let local governments tell the police chief to set a curfew for 24 hours or less when there is a “clear and present danger.”
The bill was approved by a House of Delegates gatekeeper subcommittee 7-1 on Friday, February 10. The Richmond Times Dispatch was the first news source to report this. The bill was passed by the Senate 27-12 last month.
Now, towns and cities can set curfews, but it takes time to get the right people together to pass emergency measures. The bill would give the police chief the power to control, limit, or stop people from getting together if there was a chance of a civil disturbance or riot.
In cities, the police chief would have to get approval from the mayor or city manager.
Temporary curfews are meant to give local governments time to get together and make emergency laws or extend the curfew, if necessary.
If the bill becomes law, breaking it would be a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2500.
The bill says that it must be clear when and where the curfew is in effect, and the public must be told.
Not everyone would have to follow the curfews. Here are some exceptions:
- Any person traveling to or from home, work, or a place of worship;
- Medical personnel;
- Members of the press;
- Federal, state, and local employees and volunteers engaged in official business, including emergency response;
- Military personnel, including but not limited to National Guard troops;
- Travel to or from public meetings of the local governing body;
- Persons seeking emergency services or fleeing any emergency or danger or acting to save other persons from an emergency or danger; and
- Persons who are incapacitated or who are seeking medical care for themselves or others.
