23 December 2014

I am writing to ask you to support Delegate Eileen Filler-Corns proposed legislation for the 2015 General
Assembly Session, HB 1343. Ive attached several references below to detail this proposed change to
Virginia law as well as a link to the VA Sheriffs Association Endorsement.
Briefly, Eileens bill would is to amend Code 22-234 of Virginia to require local/campus police to notify
the local Commonwealth Attorneys office within 48 hours whenever a felony sexual assault that occurs
on a college campus is reported to campus/local police.
This bill does not require school administrators to report these crimes to police, but it does increase the
likelihood that once a woman makes the decision to report her crime to the police (campus or local)
that proper evidence would be gathered without delay so that crimes could be successfully prosecuted.
I would like to help Eileens efforts by asking all of you who have made a difference in combating sexual
assault violence to send her a letter of support for HB 1343 by 30 December 2014. Even though the
holidays are quickly approaching, Id appreciate it if you could take just a few minutes over the next few
days to send her a note of support. Every letter of support will put us one step closer to having this bill
brought to the floor of the General Assembly in January.
Eileen can be reached at eileenfillercorn@gmail.com
Many Thanks for your Support,
Susan Russell

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The full text of the bill can be found online at:
http://www.richmondsunlight.com/bill/2015/hb1343/fulltext/
B. All public or private institutions of higher education that have campus police forces established in
accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall enter in and become a party to mutual aid
agreements with one or more of the following: (i) an adjacent local law-enforcement agency or (ii) the
Department of State Police, for the use of their joint forces, both regular and auxiliary, equipment, and
materials when needed in the investigation of any felony criminal sexual assault or medically
unattended death occurring on property owned or controlled by the institution of higher education or
any death resulting from an incident occurring on such property. Such mutual aid agreements shall
include provisions requiring either the campus police force or an agency with which it has established
a mutual aid agreement pursuant to this subsection to notify the local attorney for the
Commonwealth of any investigation involving felony criminal sexual assault occurring on property
owned or controlled by the institution of higher education within 48 hours of beginning such
investigation. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit a campus police force from requesting

assistance from any appropriate law-enforcement agency of the Commonwealth, even though a mutual
aid agreement has not been executed with that agency.

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Eileens 01 Dec 2014 Press Release:
Filler-Corn Introduces Legislation to Combat Campus Sexual Assaults
Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Springfield) today introduced HB 1343, legislation requiring the reporting
of campus sexual assaults by campus and local law enforcement to the local Commonwealths Attorney
within 48 hours of the reported incident.
If passed, this legislation will expedite an investigation of the case, while ensuring the proper course of
action, due process and any necessary legal filings are completed when sexual assaults are reported to
campus law enforcement.
As a mother of college-aged students, I share the worry of all parents about the safety of our kids when
theyre away from home. And like all parents in the Commonwealth, Ive been heart-broken and
outraged by reports of rampant sexual assaults on our university campuses, said Delegate Filler-Corn.
Its clear we need new action to prevent these assaults. My bill is designed to encourage a thorough
investigation by our justice system and promote information sharing to stop sexual predators from
jumping from campus to campus.
Albemarle County Commonwealth's Attorney Denise Lunsford stated, I support legislation that would
require notice to the Commonwealth Attorney regarding criminal sexual assaults occurring on Virginias
college campuses. Such notice will help assure that violators are held responsible for their actions and
that they do not commit such crimes in the future by allowing for prompt investigation and collection of
evidence as well as, if appropriate, prosecution of these crimes. Additionally, notice to the
Commonwealth Attorney will assure that survivors of such offenses are fully aware of all available
options.
As Governor McAuliffes Task Force on Combating Campus Sexual Violence continues its work to
develop a comprehensive set of recommendations that will make a substantial impact on both
prevention and response to sexual assault on campuses, the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence
Action Alliance welcomes efforts by Virginia legislators to continue to move forward through
incremental policy changes, said Kristi VanAudenhove, Executive Director of the Virginia Sexual and
Domestic Violence Action Alliance. Delegate Filler-Corns bill requiring campuses to report
investigations of felony sexual assault crimes to the local attorney for the Commonwealth within 48
hours of opening an investigation is a welcome improvement that will ensure campus sexual assaults are
taken seriously.

This problem needs to be addressed across campus. Whether in a fraternity house, dorm room, parking
garage or research facility, everyone on campus should feel safe and be protected, added Filler-Corn.
In 2012, as a member of the Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee, Delegate Filler-Corn
introduced similar legislation requiring campus police to report sexual assault cases to local law
enforcement so that the proper investigation ensued.
Delegate Filler-Corn added, Our university system has long been a point of pride for us in Virginia and
underpins our economic engine. However, the safety of all our students must be paramount. I know we
can make the changes we need, but it will take all of us from parents, students, law enforcement and
university officials working together to do it.

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Four days later, the VA Sheriffs Association endorsed this legislation:
https://vasheriff.org/2014/12/04/virginia-sheriffs-association-speaks-campus-sexual-assault/
The Virginia Sheriffs Association (VSA) will be supporting HB 1343 (Delegate Filler-Corn). The proposal
requires that all sexual assaults are reported to a public law enforcement entity.
The victims of sexual assault on our college campuses should know that crimes they report will receive
no less scrutiny than crimes reported by citizens in the community as a whole. There should be no
question in the minds of students everywhere that reports of sexual assault will be given due
consideration and receive all law enforcement resources that are available to all citizens.
The Virginia Sheriffs Association was proud to support similar legislation in 2011 by then Delegate
Paula Miller and Delegate Filler-Corns HB 701 in 2012, and we now fully support Delegate Filler-Corns
bill, HB 1343, filed on Monday, said VSA Executive Director John W. Jones, representing the sheriffs.
Lunenburg County Sheriff Arthur Townsend, President of the VSA added, This bill has the full support of
the sheriffs from across the Commonwealth, and we plan to make every effort to secure its passage.

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Charlottesville NOW has endorsed this legislation:
http://3wv.com/news/064460-local-now-chapter-issues-statement-on-sexual-assault-issue/
We support the law being placed before the General Assembly, HB 1343, stating that a sexual assault
being investigated by a university be reported to the local commonwealth attorney within 48 hours. This
law would increase the likelihood that proper evidence would be gathered without delay so that crimes

could be successfully prosecuted. Strong law enforcement is needed to provide safety for students and
other citizens.