Va House fixes sexual predator commitment bill

2-17-2011 Virginia:

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Legislators have amended a bill that some said was unconstitutional and threatened a program to hold sexual predators for treatment after they are released from prison.

The Senate had passed a bill pushed by the Attorney General's office to allow sexual predators awaiting annual civil commitment reviews to be held with jail inmates.

A House Militia, Police and Public Safety subcommittee took that provision out of the bill Thursday.

Virginia law bans mingling those being held for treatment with those serving criminal sentences. The U.S. Supreme Court has said civil commitment is constitutional if it's for treatment, not punishment.

More than 200 sex offenders are being held in civil commitment, and some lawmakers warn they'd be released if the program was deemed unconstitutional. ..Source.. by WRIC.com