“Young people under 21 who drink alcohol are more likely to have negative effects on their health, safety, and well-being.” – U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Preventing Underage Drinking with Community Strategies, 2024 House Courts of Justice Committee Members: By way of reintroduction, my name is Kurt Erickson and I serve as President of the Virginia-based nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program or WRAP. In addition to being a three-time winner of Virginia’s prestigious Governor’s Transportation Safety Award, WRAP uses public education, innovative health education programs and advocacy to prevent drunk driving and underage drinking. (WRAP additionally serves as project director of Virginia DMV’s award-winning “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.) While family surgery prevents me from being in Richmond today, I am writing to you regarding this year’s underage drinking bill (House Bill 1432, Mehta, D-Chesterfield County) which is up in House Courts today. Succinctly and despite underage drinking not only increasing the chances of dependency later on in life but also leading to short and long-term consequences including risky behaviors -- and with Virginia 9th & 10th graders reporting their first alcohol use at ages 13-14 (Virginia Department of Health, 2023) – HB 1432 proposes the ELIMINATION of the current penalties for underage drinking (fines, driver’s license sanctions and or community service) and replacing such with “written warnings.” WRAP testified in opposition to this bill at this week’s Criminal Law Subcommittee registering its concern regarding the impact of unlawful, underage drinking including the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism-cited risky behaviors and increased risk of many harmful health conditions inc. injuries (motor vehicle crashes, falls or drownings), violence, alcohol poisoning, blackouts, coma and death. As a means of preserving meaningful and enforceable deterrents to underage drinking in Virginia, I urge you to remain tough on underage drinking and oppose either this bill or that language contained in it which lessens the penalties for this unlawful act in Virginia. Thank you, in advance, for your valued consideration in this matter. I may be directly reached via any of the points of contact below should you have any questions. Kurt Gregory Erickson President & CEO Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) 1660 International Drive, Suite 600 McLean, Virginia 22102 tel 703.893.0461 email kurt@wrap.org http www.wrap.org

I write to you today in support of HB1432 and I appreciate the hard work that Delegate Mehta put into this legislation. It makes sense that legal age gated products have similar consequences when a violation occurs. The same way that a young person should not have their life upturned for decades with a criminal charge for possessing quantities of cannabis allowed for adults; they should also not have to face a criminal record for underage possession of alcohol. This is even more important when considering that adult's 18-20 years of age, who are otherwise considered to be adults in the eyes of the law, except in the case of alcohol, tobacco/nicotine and cannabis products. There is a long standing tradition that many enforcement actions against these product falls mainly on the backs of the poor and minority communities. Today the committee has the ability to begin the process of keeping the punishment in line with the nature of the violation. The opportunity for a written warning and increased penalties for subsequent violations reenforces that behaviors are illegal without limiting a citizens future with a criminal record. We at the Marijuana Policy Project strongly support this legislation and I believe it is in the best interest of the Commonwealth to bring these violations in line with each other. The best way to keep our youth from consuming these products is through a robust education and public service announcements rather than straddling our youth with a criminal record.

I am writing to voice my strong opposition to HB 853. This "Second Look" resentencing legislation represents a fundamental shift in Virginia’s justice system that prioritizes the interests of violent offenders over the safety of our communities and the peace of mind of crime victims. HB 853 would allow individuals convicted of serious felonies to petition a court to reduce or change their sentences after 15, 20, or 25 years. This effectively grants a "second bite at the apple" that overturns long-standing Virginia law regarding the finality of criminal sentences. When a judge or jury hands down a sentence, it is based on the gravity of the crime and the need for public safety. Allowing these cases to be reopened decades later undermines the authority of our courts and the stability of our legal system. Perhaps the most concerning aspect of HB 853 is the toll it takes on victims. For many, the conclusion of a trial is the only way they can begin the long process of healing. By allowing offenders to seek resentencing, this bill forces victims back into the courtroom to testify again and relive the most traumatic moments of their lives. No victim should be forced to look over their shoulder every five years wondering if their attacker will be granted a "second look" hearing. While the bill mentions a work group to study victim-notification systems, this is a hollow promise. A "study" provides no immediate or guaranteed protections. It is irresponsible to create a pathway for the early release of violent offenders before robust, meaningful protections for victims are already established and proven. Our legal system is already overburdened. HB 853 would trigger a wave of petitions and hearings, placing an immense strain on our courts, prosecutors, and probation systems. Diverting these limited resources toward re-litigating decades-old crimes is a disservice to taxpayers and a distraction from the pursuit of justice in current, pending cases. Sentencing should be clear, final, and focused on accountability. HB 853 creates a dangerous precedent that suggests sentences are merely "suggestions" rather than firm consequences for violent actions. This bill shifts the focus away from the victims of crime and toward the comfort of those who have committed serious felonies. For the sake of community safety and the rights of victims, I urge you to oppose HB 853. Virginia must maintain a justice system that honors the finality of its sentences and ensures that "life" or "long-term incarceration" remains a meaningful standard for the most serious crimes.

Leniency is not rehabilitation. That being said a criminal convicted of a violent felony, murder, rape , kidnapping, 1st degree assault after being found guilty and sentenced is incarcerated in the Penal system to protect society. This proposed legislation seeks to remove the protection afforded citizens by the judicial system. I do not support this.