Ask for you to endorse legislation that criminalizes strangers taken minors without the parent’s knowledge or consent in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Breaking News: The police allegedly tells a Danville, Va woman T.
 .A that a stranger can take their child somewhere without the
 parents consent. Do you believe a child under the age of 13 has the
 right to consent to anywhere with a stranger (alone in their vehicle)
 without the parents permission and how would you feel?  The parent
that was a victim name is T.A can be reached at Tijuana
Abdirahman
 Danville, Va  24541.
Her contact number is (434)*#*-#*#42,

      T.A  asserted she tried to get a restraining order and warrant
for abduction and the police said no law was broken, even though the
parent was unaware of the child being taken by a stranger without her
permission.   V.H, accused adult that took child without parent’s
knowledge or consent, is being accused of taking the African American
child out for ice cream in order to get info in regards to the child’s
family life.    There has been tension in the neighborhood with the
woman V.H (white) and Ms. T. A’s family in which she accuses her kids
of being drug
 dealers and her daughter being pregnant.

She lives in a predominately all white neighborhood.   The T.A woman
has even tried to take out a warrant on the 10 year old son for
obtaining money under false
 pretenses.  T.A family considers this another method of harrassing an
African American family in the neighborhood.  Virginia.Harvey is not the
Department of Social Services, nor should she be acting in such a
capacity or manner without cause.

      After trying to make a complaint about the officer , related to Harvey, that visited her home making threats about reporting her and her children to authorities and stating she should move, the police department
 stated that nothing could be done.  This would be a concern to any
 reasonable parent that a minor can consent with an adult to take them
 anywhere without the parents permission.  Also the Danville, Va
 Commonwealth Attorney told the parents of the boy allegedly that its
 his discretion and refuses to prosecute the case.

     The Danville magistrate allegedly also told the parents that it
was not enough evidence to bring charges.  The FBI warns parents and
children to not take candy or financial offers from adult strangers as
this could be a sign of luring a child into criminal control, such as
pedophiles.

     Merle Rutledge has contacted the local legislatures, Virginia
Senators, Virginia Governor’s office and other state public safety
department to try to put legislation through the general assembly to
punish and criminalize adults that take children without their parent
permission and to criminalize those that do not make an attempt to let
the parent know as soon as possible, the reason for taking the child
and the purpose in which the child was brought back to to them in
their custody.  The adult stranger should immediately contact the
police department and make a mandatory report under such
circumstances, in order to decrease any exploitation or criminal
intention in regards to the adult, if the situation is based off an
emergency decree.

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Against Chatham Middle School Dress Code in Chatham, va

Dress Codes at Chatham Middle School.

Our children should not be told what to wear unless the clothes are sexually suggestive or offensive in nature and not a reflection for a educational environment.  We are not a communist country nor should our schools also be used as a fresh reminder of slavery.  We should not be told what to wear.  I ask that all Chatham Middle School students go to school in whatever their parents want them to wear.  This would set the standing for a great First Amendment challenge through civil disobedience.  I do not condone the dress code because I never had to go through one.  Principal Cedric Hairston has no business being a principal or a school leader and his representation and actions has done nothing but distract our kids and parents from pursuing education instead of what he deems is representation.  I do not support any kind of dress code because I am simply too damn liberal.  If I had a child in their school system than they would be wearing whatever I approve and the Principal could kiss my ass!  How does telling a child what to wear without you paying for it has anything to do with a legitimate government interest.

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Norfolk, Va Police Officers Plaza and Tessier discipline for civil rights violations for illegal stop of Merle Rutledge Jr and Vernon C. Evans-El!

Breaking News: The Norfolk, Va Police Department has discipline two more corrupt officers Tessier and Plaza. This brings the Merle T. Rutledge Jr holding officers accountable total to 27. This is based off the illegal stop and harrassment done by these Norfolk, Va Police Officers of Merle Rutledge Jr and Vernon C. Evans – El.

Merle T. Rutledge Jr

and

Vernon C. Evans-El
plaintiffs,

vs.
Officer Plaza, Norfolk, Va Police Department officer, sued in his individual and
official capacity
And

Officers Tessier, Norfolk Va Police Department officer, sued in his
individual and official capacity
And

City of Norfolk, Va
And

John Doe 3, supervisor of the Norfolk, Va Police Department officer,
sued in his individual and official capacity

Defendants,

BRIEF OF ALLEGATIONS
On 1/6/2013. Merle T. Rutledge Jr and Vernon Evans-El was pulled over
by Norfolk Police Department officers alongside Monticello and another
street between the hours of 3 and 5pm in the City of Norfolk, Va. After being pulled over illegally by Officers Plaza and Tessier, We was
told that my 2013 registration sticker was peeled as being the reason
for the stop. During the stop they ran my license and called up the
City of Norfolk, Va impound to see if the car was taken legally and
was in the rightful possession of Merle T. Rutledge Jr. The officers claim that they got a hit on my license plate that the vehicle was abandoned. There was
nothing legally wrong with my plates or with my car in the
Commonwealth of Virginia. Also on the same date in which my car was
picked up from the City of Norfolk, Va impound. I had new
registration stickers, inspection sticker and decals put on the car which was
paid for at the Virginia DMV office in Norfolk, Va on November 14, 2012.  The stop occured in regards to this complaint on January 6, 2012.  All checks
showed that Merle T. Rutledge Jr was the rightful person in possession
of the car, he had no warrants for arrest, and the car was not abandon. During the stop a Officer Tessier asked Vernon Evans-El for identification. Vernon C. Evans-El
gave her his real legal full name, which the City of Norfolk, Va city
attorney office, as well as the City of Norfolk, Va police department
had documentation that Vernon C. Evans-El had legally changed his name
in 2009 in the Circuit Court for the City of Norfolk, Va. Officer Tessier was not satisfied with Vernon Evans-El and threaten to take
him into custody if he did not give up his social security number.
Under threat of force, arrest, and being taken into custody by Officer Tessier, Vernon
Evans-El gave her his social secuirty number. It showed no warrants
on Evans-El, but Evans-El refused to give up his social security
number until he was threaten with force, arrest, and being taken into
custody. There is no Virginia law that states police officers are
able to obtain social security numbers or make these types of threats unless they can cite a specific statute or law that allows for such invasion of privacy.
During this exchange after Merle T. Rutledge Jr was told he could
leave by Officer Plaza. The lady officer told Merle T. Rutledge Jr that he had to
stay, even though Merle Rutledge Jr, asked clearly was he free to
leave after the male officer gave him back his license and told
Mr. Rutledge that he could go. There was no legal justification for Officer Tessier to deny Mr. Rutledge Jr right of movement and to illegal seize him after Officer Plaza said that he could go. Merle T. Rutledge Jr asked the female officer was he being detained and was he not free to leave.
Officer Tessier said yes that he was not free to leave. Mr. Rutledge requested
to get out the car so he could get cigarettes while the female officer
made threats to Evans-El about his social security number. Officer Tessier stated no Mr. Rutledge could not leave and he would be leaving his car behind if he left to go right up the street to get cigarettes. This was in direct violation of the Privacy Act, 4th and 14th amendment of the United States Constitutioin, and Officer Tessier could not cite any
legal authority that required such disclosure. The
officer repeated to Merle Rutledge Jr that he was not free to leave
which made the stop a unlawful detainer and false arrest in violation of Merle T.
Rutledge Jr right to be free to leave and the seizure became unlawful
for all parties in Merle T. Rutledge Jr car.  Merle Rutledge Jr was than in City of Norfolk, VA police custody without any legal justification.   Merle Rutledge Jr
requested for a supervisor. The male officer Plaza would call the
supervisor to tell him to respond to the scene. However, the male
officer got back out of his car while the lady officer was talking to
Evans-El unwillingly because he also refuse to want to be question by
her after he gave her his real legal name of Vernon C. Evans El. He
tells Merle Rutledge Jr that he can go again and Merle Rutledge Jr
than asks where was the supervisor. This is when he knew that Merle
Rutledge Jr was not leaving until speaking to a supervisor after being
harassed by this woman officer and being told to stay after Merle
Rutledge JR was clear to leave by her fellow officer. I want this
matter investigated fully and the audio tape reviewed. I request the
audio and visual tape of this stop through the Virginia Freedom of
Information Act and any written estimates be forwarded to me by e-mail
or mail of the costs, if any. The female officer violated our 4th and 14th
amendment rights and obtain information through false pretenses from
Evans-El and Mr. Rutledge. Merle T. Rutledge Jr car was unlawfully
stopped because his plates was clear and visible to all officers. On
the audio the lady officer admits to being able to view the stickers
and plates on Mr. Rutledge Jr car. She also said it was my mother
fault for not calling the DMV and clearing it with them that the car
had been picked up from the City of Norfolk, Va impound. However, she
could not cite a statute or anything of such extra requirement in
order for a vehicle to be clear to be on the road without being
harrassed form the Norfolk, Va police department. Also her male
officer, stated to everyone that the car had been legally picked up
and the date in which it was retrieved. We challenged the
duration of this stop and the actions taken up by this police officer
and her supervisors. The 4th amendment violation and
unlawful detainment of Merle T. Rutledge Jr against this officer and
the City of Norfolk, Va police department for allowing a policy that
has become so official to threaten and force identification beyond the
Virginia law. Social security numbers and threatening everyone to
stay even though there was no legal reasoning for them to do so is
against the law and beyond unconstitutional. Prior and constructive
knowledge of these known violations in the City of Norfolk, Va police
department is so widespread to carry the enforcement of law, which is
municipal liability. All the evidence is on Norfolk, VA police
officers video and audio. This officer continued to violate every
constitutional right during a stop possible. Evans-El was arrested
before for refusal to show identification card when asked on video.
Alton Robinson was arrested after giving his full legal name for
refusing to identify himself. The City of Norfolk, Va department has
refused to correct this problem and supervise and discipline officers
who refuse to follow their instruction, unless none had been given.
This is a City of Norfolk, Va problem not just a police officer
problem.

2. Justice Souter wrote for a unanimous court. He said “a seizure
occurs if ‘in view of all of the circumstances surrounding the
incident, a reasonable person would have believed that he was not free
to leave.’” Brendlin at 4. United States v. Mendenhall, 446 U.S. 544,
554 (1980). A reasonable passenger, during a traffic stop, would not
believe he was free to leave without police permission; a “passenger
will expect to be subject to some scrutiny, and his attempt to leave
the scene would be so obviously likely to prompt an objection from the
officer that no passenger would feel free to leave in the first
place.” Brendlin at 7. United States v. Drayton, 536 U.S. 194, 202
(2002).

3. The male officer had completed his investigation when he told Mr.
Rutledge that he could leave. Due to the female officer having her
head so close to the window and Mr. Rutledge looking after the officer own safety by
asking her if he was free to leave, because he did not want to drive
off and accidentally hit her with his vehicle while engaged in a
conversation with Evans-El. She told Merle Rutledge Jr that he was
not free to leave at all and was not done with her investigation.
Evans-El was not about to be or was involved in any criminal activity
and had no reason to extend the encounter based off her own personal
motivation. Fortunately Merle Rutledge Jr did not leave because he would have been shot to death like Joshua Johnson for possibly trying to hit Police Officer Tessier after she told Mr. Rutledge that he was not free to leave.

4. Until Virginia passes a mandatory Identification card law.
Evans-El cooperated with the police and should have never been
threaten by the assertion of force or being taken into custody to hand
over a identification card and his social security number.

5. All defendants et al. are being sued under U.S.C 1983 42 and for
violations of Merle T. Rutledge Jr 4th and 14th U.S Amendment rights.

6. The supervisor that showed up at the scene tried to intimidate
Evans-El and Mr. Rutledge into not filing a complaint. The supervisor
that showed up to the scene of the traffic stop also
stated to us that a complaint would go nowhere. This is the main
reason why Im complaining against the Supervisor. It is clear that
supervisors in the Norfolk, Va police department constantly tell
citizens by filing a complaint that nothing will happen to them. It
is about time that you showed something will. It shows a complete
lack of respect for the Norfolk, Va internal affairs by your top
decision makers. He was sure to let us know that the actions of his
officers were lawful and it would be upheld by him and top “decision
makers” in the city of Norfolk, Va police department. As of May 13, 2013, the supervisor that came to the scene has yet to be discipline like Officer Plaza and Tessier.

6. A policy exists with the Norfolk, Va Police Department and its
officers that failure to show identification card when asked can have
you detained and put into custody by force, if necessary. No such
state law or ordinance exists that requires mandatory identification
card. The City of Richmond, VA tried a similar ordinance and later
had to throw it out because it was unenforceable.
Relief Sought –
Plantiffs suffered gross negligence, assault, duration of the unlawful
traffic top, unlawful seizure of my person and vehicle, emotional
distress, intimidation, obtaining information under false pretenses,
harassment, humiliation, injury to the plantiffs reputation, violation
of my freedom to travel, false imprisonment, unlawful detainment, and
a fear of police against defendants et al. Also, Plantiff seek
damages for the psychological treatment for the emotional distress
caused for no reason other than incompetence at its greatest by
Norfolk, Va Police Department Officer’s and the City of Norfolk, Va.
Also, I would like a declaration that the Norfolk, Va Police
Department and the City of Norfolk, Va violated my civil rights.

Case Notations and References:

1. Brendlin v. California, 06-8120
2. Ultimately, the Baker court held that even when conducting a
parole search, with no indication that the female passenger has done
anything wrong, the officer may not search the passenger’s bag. The
court held that although the parolee/driver consented in advance to
searches of his person, home and car, people traveling with him do not
give up their right to privacy.

Case Notations and References:

1. Brendlin v. California, 06-8120
2. Ultimately, the Baker court held that even when conducting a
parole search, with no indication that the female passenger has done
anything wrong, the officer may not search the passenger’s bag. The
court held that although the parolee/driver consented in advance to
searches of his person, home and car, people traveling with him do not
give up their right to privacy.  Pictured below is Merle T. Rutledge Jr (1) and (2) Vernon C. Evans-El, Civil Rights Activists!

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Danville, Va social services worker accused of sex abuse with minor!

Letter to the Editor: Ms. Laughinhouse will walk!

MERLE RUTLEDGE  <merletrutledge@gmail.com> Thu, Mar 21, 2013 at 12:05 PM To: news <news@registerbee.com> Reply | Reply to all | Forward | Print | Delete | Show original In my opinion, Mary M. Laughinghouse is going to walk. 24 years ago, has 24 years ago laws, and I believe they only had a certain amount of time to charge and try her. This is a dog and pony show for a statute of limitations defense and to make sure she walks away from the charges with a complete dismissal.It is enough blame to go around from the evidence that was available at that time.  Letters, notes, and direct statements from the victim should have had her tried in a court of law.  The Virginia State Police, City of Danville, and Pittsylvania County are all to blame for the continuous pattern of abuse allowed to go on because they are afraid to get a friend in trouble.  It is evident all over David Grimes office, his predecessors, and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia that allow known violations to go silent in hopes of it never coming back up to protect a friend, family member, or their special agents.  I guess David Grimes and the Danville, Va Commonwealth Attorney forgot to check with this victim about justice.All entities beforemention should be ashamed of themselves.  The employers that further her abuse should be ashame of themselves. Obstruction of Justice from all parties seems to run wild in this case, as well as many others.  It is a sad day when are so blind with patriotism of our friend, family, and neighbor to allow  wrongdoing to continue to occur.  It is only when it hits our door steps than we cry to government for redress of our greivances.  Depending on who you are, it shows throughout this case whether justice is served. Moreover,  the victim must prove the abuse happened. In order for a third party to be held liable, the victim must prove it aided the abuser in some way.  It means everyone responsible for letting the abuse occur and go without justice can take a pass to from this injustice, because of the statute of limitations defense.   Some of the people responsible pictures will still hang up in a courthouse or local government building as a monument for justice, all the while was truly tainted. In conclusion, Over 24 years has passed and the law only allows for 2 years to 20 years for a prosecution.  I stress patience as this matter ends.  I hope that the newspaper writes articles about all that knew and failed to respond. Even though, I know this will never happen.  I figure I should be the one to say it.   We put a special trust into these public officials and special measures should be taken to make sure they pay for their crimes and make amends for their acts.  Mary M. Laughinghouse has plenty of blame to spread around and I hope she tells the truth.   It appears that the article and charges was pushed to find another victim, to make up for the many other victims that never got justice.  If you feel guilty about your resolve, than maybe its because you are guilty for allowing the rape to occur, as much as the accused. Merle T. Rutledge Jr Chatham, Va

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VA Governor responds to email from Merle Rutledge Jr on Drug Welfare Law Unconstitutional!

VA should Amend Drug Test for Rich people and Corporations that receive Tax Cuts or Government Subsidies

VA should Amend Drug Test for Rich people and Corporations that receive Tax Cuts or Government Subsidies

I see everyone argument and this is a dicisive issue. However, there is no difference between welfare for rich and middle and low income people. There is no difference about welfare; which is produced by state and local governments. In order, for a lot of businesses during this time to stay afloat. Businesses have to apply for welfare from the state and local government. The welfare consists of tax subsidies, grants, and cuts. The business does not have to give the government any money, but they are taking funds from the government.

The constitution has a Equal Protection Clause that is there to make sure all people are treated fairly and they are placed under the same scrutiny as others similarly situated. The laws of the United States of America is meant to protect the people. Welfare is not exclusively meant for parents but is meant for children expense and needs. Welfare is meant to help parent raise their children in most cases. Should the children suffer because of the parent habits and questionable decisions. I do not think so, because kids are innocent from others actions unless they are involved in activity which would compromise their own welfare. The kid does not have drugs in their system should not suffer. Instead children should be allowed to have any welfare benefits which is available for those in dire situations. A child has the right just like any law abiding citizen. They should not have to be agitated, angry, and hungry in America. The crime rate would go up to astronomical proportions if this drug testing law is passed. However, If Virginia and States wants to go this far to place regulation on citizens that reside in their terrorities.

The public and private sector job creators should be subject to the same testing as required in this bill; including, the Virginia General Assembly elected officials. Furthermore, the drug testing law for welfare would be hard to pass on a Constiutional standard because of this kind of amendment, because our pubic elected officials will have immunity and I do not think failing a drug test would warrant the overturning of legislative immunity. Virginia has a clause when dealing with children. States are suppose to believe in the phrase, “What is in the best interest of the child.” I do not believe starving children because of the parent’s conduct warrants such cruel and unusual punishment towards a child. The problem is that children would need a guardian at litem or some outsider controlling how the money is spent.

Advocates of cutting government spending would be looking at extra expenses. A lot of legal and administrative costs the state will have to pay to implement Drug test Welfare law. The law in my opinion is broad, arbitrary, and conpricous. The system would systematically any person and government aware of people personal lives without a warrant. If States are going through people body which is mandatory through the passage of this Welfare law, than they will make it further into your bedroom. A lot of people wouldn’t have their bedroom or private activities exposed. People and Employers which receives government assistance would have so many cobweb and skeletons coming out of their closet.

The ability to maintain privacy through the law for recreational activies would be diminish significantlly. This would make anyone think twice about having their company affiliated with a business that does not agree with their personal life style. A drug is legal and illegal. Abuse of any drug is illegal. The ability to measure abuse with drug use is possible and the expense should be forwarded to the State.

The current standards for welfare is fine in its implementation. If lawmakers decide to add to the requirement than they should prepare to give up some freedom in the process. I believe the law is an huge invasion of privacy. Our basic rights will continue to erode at the passage of this bill. Anytime, citizen or business can be on welfare and dependent of the government in which it claims does to much or too little for people than they should be willing to reimburse the government for its expenses. If the company doesn’t have the ability to pay back the government for all cuts, subsidies and grants in which they received, than all executives, managers, and decision makers should be tested for drugs yearly. I can only imagine the surprise of the results. If anyone is ok right now are a doctor’s bill or emergency room visit away from being on welfare and being apart of the very system in which they condemn. I believe this bill is meant to target low income and unemployed people.

The bill introduced by Margaret Ransone has no provision for corporation, businesses, and organization that receive assistance from any state, federal, or local government. The Welfare drug law should target the businesses that take subsidies, tax cuts, and more. All these different mechanisms to take away entitlements to people that need welfare is unconstitutional. It isn’t a business money being paid in taxes, but the government them a break from paying taxes. I believe people who get tax cuts should be under the microscope of drug testing for buying a home or investing in a government sponsored program should be subject to the drug test law in order to extend any cuts. If the drug test is failed by anyone in America than they should not be allowed to garner any breaks from the government. The government should not these people to receive any tax credit. For example: charities, donations, or any type of funds used during time a person files taxes for a deduction.

Their tax deduction should be eliminated. This law would cause the world to explode in riot from the amendments mentioned in this blog. Even rich people and corporations do not like outsiders or government in their business. Hopefully, if they pass this law than all that condemn it has to be place under the same microscope. I believe all people that receive any type of tax cut or credit should be subject to random drug testing and not just those that didn’t get the extra assistance that these rich people and corporations get from the government. Welfare is Welfare. If you receiving any tax cut, deductioni, or government break from paying for anything than you are on welfare. I guess this law should be a nationwide law in which we walk around as Zombies getting tested. If the lawmakers amended the law than they would have everyone making over 250,000 marching outside of Richmond, Va asking the government to leave them alone.

This is just my two cents. I see some possible violations of the U.S Constitution 8th cruel and unusual punishment, 4th amendment unlawful search and seizures, failure of due process, invasion of privacy. This law should include college students as well. Some actually recieve government welfare assistance for decades. A law that can not be enforce unilaterally to all that governed under it. Than people that receive some form of assistance by this from the government is really participating in a unconstitutional law, for the purpose of political posturing. The law appears to be based off communist propaganda. This is socialism under Karl Marxx model. The marginalization, seperation of people, and forming a society is at this law feet for a theory to become a worldwide phenomenon. The Distribution of Wealth

The biggest distribution of wealth really comes from poor people to businesses known as job creators and the U.S federal, state, and local government. A tax, subsidies, grants, etc that the businesses and government receive from poor people. A lot of businesses would be out of business if it wasn’t for the government sending them a check yearly. The same thing as people being put out their homes if they wasnt receiving unemployment and other benefits in order to cushion the blow of the recession. If someone keeps saying a line over and over again than eventually some people will believe it. This is shallow part of thinking and I rather stick into the deep end and lift all the pillows and covers of the businesses and U.S governments bed of cash. The only people that really have a distribution of wealth argument is middle and low income people.

The benefits that really paid is really a refund and not a handout. For example: Gov Mcdonnell proposed giving colleges in the state a extra 100 million in financing. This is a distribution of wealth as well as government aided assistance which is tantamount to welfare. Just because a artist paints a copy of a picture doesnt mean it is real. This is just a picture that some people in partisan politics would like for you to receive. For all the low and middle class people in the area and throughout America. Walk around with your head held high and with a huge smile on your face. It is because of you that everyone is wealthy and doing okay in the recession. You have done your job and it is time for others to start doing theirs and if not than kick them out. It is your money keeping them in. Michelle Bachmann family was able to run a clinic with welfare from the government in the form of a grant. A earmark that some e complain about is causing higher deficits is welfare for those projects (state/federal/local) including businesses. If someone needs proof of the American People distributing wealth than look at your tax stub. Warren Buffett and Bill Gates are more wealthy than any Presidential candidate and believe that the rich and businesses are not doing their part in fixing America.

It is about time to give them the argument that they can not overcome and that is the American people is your safety net. Also, I think it is in the government best interest to drug tax everyone including job creators at their top executive positions to see if they are receiving government money while doing drugs. Also what drugs are going to be classified as illegal. Their are prescriptions drugs that has components of illegal drugs. I would love to see the day that a government representative went to a company that receives any type of government assistance to drug test the executives. This is when you really see people run to Capitol Hill protesting the drug tests while they think it was ok as long as they was testing the real job creators. The American Taxpayers!

Also, legislatures across the country have a issue with drug testing because they would be affected with them to, and if they didnt have anything to hide, than why did one legislature pull the bill from being voted on officially. The state is Indiana, where the legislature is predominantely Republican. Also a Republican introduce a similar bill as well. So if you have a problem with the drug testing law than tell your local legislatures that are represented in state government that it is time to say goodbye and also send the same message to Margaret Ransone in her hopes of becoming another Republican star at her own expense. Also send her a tax notice that is stamped with bigotry for party over the American people.

Also, below is the Virginia Governor Bob Mcdonell response to this blog post from a email.

Message from the Office of the Governor CRM:0023568 Inbox

The Office of the Governor <OfficeOfTheGovernor@governor.virginia.gov> Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 3:00 PMTo: Merle Rutledge <merletrutledge@gmail.com> Reply | Reply to all | Forward | Print | Delete | Show original Governor McDonnell has asked me to respond on his behalf to your email regarding drug testing of individuals applying for public assistance.  I hope the following information is helpful to you. In order to require drug testing, the Code of Virginia must be changed.  Senate Bill 781 was introduced in the 2011 session of the General Assembly to require drug testing for participants in the Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare (VIEW) Program.  However, SB 781 did not pass (http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=111&typ=bil&val=SB781).   Similar legislation introduced in 2008, 2009 and 2010 also failed to pass.   During this 2012 General Assembly session, a number of bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate to require drug testing:  HB 73, HB 221, HB 249, HB 598 and HB 955, and SB 6, SB 83 and SB 318.  You can follow the progress of these bills at http://lis.virginia.gov. Thank you for writing and sharing your thoughts and concerns.  If you have further questions, please contact Mark L. Golden, Economic Assistance and Employment Program Manager, Virginia Department of Social Services, at (804) 726-7385 or by e-mail at mark.golden@dss.virginia.gov. William A. Hazel, Jr., M.D. Secretary of Health and Human Resources 1111 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 Please do not reply to this e-mail address. Replies sent to this e-mail address will NOT be read. To send a reply, please use the contact form on the Governor’s website, located at https://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm

Merle Rutledge Jr

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