Virginia State Senator Emmet Hanger recently introduced a bill in the Virginia Senate which would give formal structure to restorative justice programs in Virginia by specifically recognizing that a court can order an offender into a “court-approved restorative justice program.”

 The direct link to the bill is: 

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?101+ful+SB679

 The bill also specifically recognizes that victim participation should be voluntary and provides confidentiality protections.