Since the regional juvenile and domestic relations court system was created by legislation in 1960, serious questions concerning its implementation and administration have arisen; they necessitated extensive amendments in the 1964 Session, and still give concern.

In response to a letter from Mr. W. L. Painter, Director of the Department of Welfare and Institutions, which suggested the need for a study of these courts, the Governor, by letter, requested the Council to make a study of the regional juvenile and domestic relations courts during its investigation of all subject matter.

Pursuant to this request, the Council assigned the study of the regional courts to the committee studying youthful offenders. Charles R. Fenwick of Arlington, member of the Senate and the Council, served as Chairman of the Committee which included the following members: J. Gordon Bennett, Auditor of Public Accounts, Richmond; Paul E. Brown, Judge, Fairfax Circuit Court, Fairfax; Miles Cary, Jr., attorney, Richmond; Charles P. Chew, Director, Division of Parole, Richmond; Mrs. Charles H. Elmore, Richmond; Mrs. Marion G. Galland, member of the House of Delegates, Alexandria; Anthony C. Gaudio, Chief Parole Officer, Arlington; Garnett S. Moore, member of the House of Delegates, Pulaski; W. L. Painter, Director, Department of Welfare and Institutions, Richmond; and Robert B. Spencer, Jr., Judge, County Court, Buckingham. Mrs. Galland served as Vice-Chairman of the Committee.

John B. Boatwright, Jr., and Robert L. Masden served as Secretary and Recording Secretary, respectively, for the Committee.

The Committee discussed the regional juvenile and domestic relations courts (referred to hereinafter as regional courts) extensively at a number of meetings; it had the benefit of a written memorandum submitted by the Committee of Judges (which is charged with fixing salaries of the judges and employees of the county courts that handle, among other matters, juvenile and domestic relations cases); and it reviewed at length the provisions of law and administrative problems relevant to regional courts. Its work concluded with the submission of a report and recommendations to the Council.