Joshua Cole House Bill 34 Sexual Offense Response Program for State Military Clears Assembly

Sep 8, 2026, 1:30 PM ET

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia General Assembly has given final approval to legislation aimed at bolstering support for victims of sexual offenses within the state’s military forces. House Bill 34, establishing a framework for a Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Program, passed both chambers after the House agreed to a Senate substitute on March 10, 2026, by a vote of 67-31.

The measure, introduced by Delegate Joshua Cole of the 65th District, directs the Department of Military Affairs to assess the feasibility of creating a dedicated Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Officer position. This officer would provide victim advocacy services, assisting members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force in filing either restricted or unrestricted reports for certain criminal sexual assault offenses. A restricted report allows confidentiality without triggering an automatic investigation, while an unrestricted report initiates full command response.

Lawmakers emphasized the bill’s focus on practical implementation. The Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee substitute, adopted on March 9 by a 26-14 Senate vote, mandates a review of the existing Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Coordinator position and staff. The Adjutant General must deliver a comprehensive report by November 1, 2026, to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and chairs of the Courts of Justice committees in both chambers. The report will detail the program’s effectiveness, personnel functions, operational costs, and recommendations for the new officer role.

The legislation’s journey through the General Assembly highlighted its priority status. Prefiled on December 23, 2025, House Bill 34 moved swiftly through the House Public Safety Committee, which reported it with amendments on January 30 by a 15-6 vote. The House passed the amended version on February 5 by 64-33 before sending it to the Senate. There, the General Laws and Technology Committee referred it to Finance and Appropriations on February 25 by 9-6, leading to the substitute that secured bipartisan backing.

Fiscal analyses from the Department of Planning and Budget, issued multiple times throughout the process, confirmed no anticipated impact on state agencies. This absence of new spending underscores the bill’s efficient approach, relying on existing resources for the feasibility study rather than immediate expansion.

Supporters point to the critical role of Virginia’s military forces in state and national security. The Virginia National Guard and Defense Force respond to disasters, support civil authorities, and deploy on federal missions. Ensuring robust mechanisms for addressing sexual offenses promotes unit cohesion, accountability, and retention among service members who put their lives on the line.

The program’s emphasis on victim-centered reporting options aligns with principles of justice and due process. Restricted reports protect privacy for those not ready for investigation, while unrestricted paths ensure swift action against offenders. Annual reporting requirements will provide transparency, tracking implementation, policy effectiveness, and statistics on reports filed by or against Guard and Defense Force members.

House Public Safety Subcommittee 2 unanimously recommended reporting with amendments on January 29 by 7-0. Full committee approval followed, with floor amendments incorporated before engrossment. Senate procedural steps, including suspension of rules and block votes, expedited progress amid a packed session calendar.

With House concurrence, House Bill 34 now awaits the Governor’s action. If signed, it positions Virginia at the forefront of state-level military victim support, building on federal standards while tailoring solutions to local needs. The measure reflects a commitment to safeguarding those who safeguard the Commonwealth, fostering an environment where service members can serve without fear.

This development comes as Virginia’s military components continue vital missions, from hurricane response to overseas deployments. Strengthening internal response capabilities ensures operational readiness and morale, key to effective defense. The bill’s passage demonstrates legislative resolve to address sensitive issues head-on, with measured steps toward enhancement rather than unchecked growth.

Stakeholders anticipate the November report will inform future decisions, potentially leading to a fully operational officer role if deemed viable. Until then, the existing coordinator’s office will continue providing services, with the study ensuring any expansions are cost-effective and impactful.

Email the Richmond City Council:
Andrew Breton, andrew.breton@rva.gov,
Katherine Jordan, katherine.jordan@rva.gov,
Kenya Gibson, kenya.gibson@rva.gov,
Sarah Abubaker, sarah.abubaker@rva.gov,
Stephanie Lynch, stephanie.lynch@rva.gov,
Ellen Robertson, ellen.robertson@rva.gov,
Cynthia Newbille, cynthia.newbille@rva.gov,
Reva Trammell, reva.trammell@rva.gov,
Nicole Jones, nicole.jones@rva.gov,

Email the Richmond School Board:
Matthew Percival, mpercival@rvaschools.net,
Kathryn Ricard, kricard@rvaschools.net,
Ali Faruk, afaruk@rvaschools.net,
Wesley Hedgepeth, whedgepeth@rvaschools.net,
Stephanie Rizzi, srizzi@rvaschools.net,
Anne Holton, aholton@rvaschools.net,
Cheryl Burke, cburke2@rvaschools.net,
Emmett Jafari, ejafari@rvaschools.net,
Shavonda Fernandez, sdixon@rvaschools.net,

Richmond Virginia House of Delegates Virginia Senate Aaron Rouse Abigail Spanberger Adam Ebbin Adele McClure Alex Askew Alfonso Lopez Ali Faruk Amendments Amy Laufer Andrew Breton Angelia Williams Graves Anne Holton Anne Tata Atoosa Reaser Barbara Favola Barry Knight Betsy Carr Bill DeSteph Bill Wiley Bonita Anthony Briana Sewell Bryce Reeves Buddy Fowler Budget Charlie Schmidt Charniele Herring Cheryl Burke Chris Runion Christie Craig Christopher Head Cia Price Cliff Hayes Creigh Deeds Cynthia Newbille Dan Helmer Danica Roem Danny Diggs David Marsden David Reid David Suetterlein Debra Gardner Delores McQuinn Delores Oates Destiny LeVere Bolling Don Scott Elizabeth Bennett-Parker Elizabeth Guzmán Ellen McLaughlin Ellen Robertson Emily Jordan Emmett Jafari Eric Phillips Eric Zehr Garrett McGuire Glen Sturtevant Governor Gretchen Bulova Hillary Kent Holly Seibold Hurricane Irene Shin Israel O'Quinn Jackie Glass Jas Jeet Singh Jason Ballard Jay Leftwich Jeion Ward Jennifer Boysko Jennifer Carroll Foy Jeremy McPike Jessica Anderson John McAuliff Joseph McNamara Josh Thomas Joshua Cole Justin Pence Kacey Carnegie Kannan Srinivasan Karen Hamilton Karen Keys-Gamarra Karrie Delaney Katherine Jordan Kathryn Ricard Kathy Tran Katrina Callsen Keith Hodges Kelly Convirs-Fowler Kenya Gibson Kimberly Pope Adams Lamont Bagby Lashrecse Aird Laura Cohen Lawmakers Lee Ware Legislation Leslie Mehta Lily Franklin Lindsey Dougherty Louise Lucas Luke Torian Luther Cifers Madison Whittle Mamie Locke Marcus Simon Margaret Franklin Mark Downey Mark Obenshain Mark Peake Marty Martinez Matthew Percival May Nivar Michael Feggans Michael Jones Michael Webert Michelle Maldonado Mike Cherry Mitchell Cornett Nadarius Clark National Security Nicole Cole Nicole Jones Otto Wachsmann Patrick Hope Paul Krizek Phil Hernandez Phillip Scott Policy Rae Cousins Reva Trammell Richard Stuart Richmond Richmond City Council Richmond School Board Rip Sullivan Robert Bloxom Rodney Willett Rozia Henson Russet Perry Ryan McDougle Saddam Salim Sam Rasoul Sarah Abubaker Schuyler VanValkenburg Scott Surovell Scott Wyatt Senate Sexual Assault Shavonda Fernandez Shelly Simonds spending Stacey Carroll Stella Pekarsky Stephanie Lynch Stephanie Rizzi Tammy Mulchi Tara Durant Technology Terry Austin Terry Kilgore Tim Griffin Timmy French Todd Pillion Tom Garrett Tommy Wright Tony Wilt Travis Hackworth Virgil Thornton Virginia Virginia House of Delegates Virginia Senate Vivian Watts Wendell Walker Wesley Hedgepeth Will Davis Will Morefield William Stanley Wren Williams