Dear Jack,

I hope you and your family are doing well during these tough times. I'm sending weekly Bulletins so that you have all the latest updates you need.

Special Session Update

This week in the Senate, we passed Sen. Mamie Locke's groundbreaking policing reform omnibus bill, SB 5030. Some of the many changes this bill makes:

- Prohibit no knock warrants

- Ban sex with individuals arrested by law enforcement

- Prohibit hiring of officers fired or resigned during use of force investigations

- Expands decertification procedure for law enforcement officers

- Ban chokeholds and strangleholds

- Require attempts at de-escalation prior to use of force

- Require warnings before shots fired

- Require law enforcement to exhaust all other means prior to using deadly force

- Create duty to intervene by fellow law enforcement officers

- Prohibit shooting at moving motor vehicles

- Require departments to create a use of force continuum

- Require comprehensive reporting by all law enforcement agencies including use of force data

- Requires de-escalation training and standardizes minimum training

- Eliminate increased law enforcement funding if agency fails to obtain accreditation

​I was proud to vote for this bill and keep our promise to Virginians to ensure fair, equitable, and just policing in the Commonwealth.

Medical Reserve Corps

The Loudoun County Department of Health is seeking medical reserve corps volunteers. This include medical professionals to help perform medical tasks such as vaccinations, as well as non medical professionals to help with non-medical support tasks. If you are a Loudoun County resident 16 or older who is willing to serve your community, you can sign up here.

Early Voting

Early voting for the November election starts Friday, September 18th! There are a number of different ways you can vote this year.

- Absentee by mail: You can request your absentee ballot to be sent to you using this link. You will be able to send your ballot back via mail, or by using a ballot dropbox as established by SB 5120, which we recently passed during the Special Session.

- Early in person: You can vote early in person starting Friday, September 18th at the following locations. Note: only one Loudoun location will be open for early voting on September 18th; additional Loudoun locations will open on Saturday, October 17th.

Loudoun County Board of Elections

750 Miller Dr SE

Leesburg, VA 20175

Haymarket Gainesville Community Library

14780 Lightner Rd

Haymarket, VA 20169

Prince William Office of Elections

9250 Lee Ave Ste. 1

Manassas, VA 20110

Woodbridge Department of Motor Vehicles

2731 Caton Hill Rd

Woodbridge, VA 22192

- Election Day: You will still be able to vote in person on November 3rd  -- just remember your face covering and maintain social distancing!

Coronavirus Numbers (9/13)

As always, please reach out to my office if you need any assistance. My Senate email address is [email protected] and my in-district phone number is (571) 367-9080. I hope you and your family are able to stay safe and healthy during these challenging times.

Sincerely,

Senator John J. Bell