Advisory Committee Structure

Governor Mark Warner signed House Bill 1430 (Drug Treatment Court Act) on July 21, 2004, in Richmond, Virginia.  House Bill 1430 amended the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered §18.2-254.1 to chapter 1004 relating to recovery courts (name changed 2024).

In addition to the formal recognition of Virginia’s recovery courts, §18.2-254.1 acknowledged that Virginia’s recovery courts are effective programs that “…reduce the incidence of drug use, drug addiction, family separation due to parental substance abuse, and drug-related crimes.”   The act further established the administrative oversight for Virginia’s recovery courts within the Supreme Court of Virginia.

§18.2-254.1 also mandated that a “State Recovery Court Advisory Committee shall be established to i) evaluate and recommend standards for the planning and implementation for recovery courts, ii) assist in the evaluation of their effectiveness and efficiency; and iii) encourage and enhance cooperation among agencies that participate in their planning and implementation.  The committee will be chaired by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia or his designee…”   §18.2-254.1.F. goes on to describe the membership of the state recovery court advisory committee to include directors of various executive branch agencies and representatives of a number of entities who have a pivotal role in the development and sustainability of recovery courts.