Summer 2002 Newsletter

General Assembly Creates VOPA

The Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 9, creating the new Virginia Office of Protection and Advocacy (VOPA). This legislation, fully supported by Governor Mark Warner, removes the Department for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities (DRVD) from the executive branch of government and creates an independent state protection and advocacy agency with an 11 member Governing Board. The new VOPA will receive and act upon complaints, provide advocacy and legal services, investigate allegations of abuse and neglect, and carry out monitoring and other activities designed to improve the life of people with disabilities. The Governor will appoint 3 members, the Speaker of the House will appoint 5 members and the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee will appoint 3 members. The Board will hire and evaluate the Director of VOPA, who must be a licensed attorney. The law ensures that the Board will include broad representation of persons knowledgeable about the needs of people with disabilities. During his gubernatorial campaign Governor Warner made a commitment to people with disabilities and his office is saying that this move is evidence that he has followed through on that promise.