The General Assembly at its Regular Session of 1966 directed the Virginia Code Commission, by Chapter 315 of the Acts of that Session, to revise certain titles of the Code of Virginia, including Title 63, relating to Welfare.

Walter E. Rogers, Esquire, of the Richmond City Bar, was retained as Counsel to assist in the revision of this Title.

Counsel examined the provisions of this Title in detail and consulted officials of the Department of Welfare and Institutions. The Code Commission met with Counsel and officials of that Department on several occasions, and discussed in detail changes recommended by members of the Commission, by Counsel and by such officials.

As a result of its efforts, the Commission considered it desirable that there be a general renumeration of the sections, the deletion of certain obsolete sections, and the amendment of other sections. We are of the opinion that this can be better accomplished by the repeal of Title 63 and the enactment of Title 63.1 in lieu thereof.

We have not recommended substantial substantive changes since a study of the Welfare Laws has been conducted by a special interim Legislative Study Commission simultaneously with our undertaking of this Revision.

Included in this Report is the Report of Counsel to the Commission on Title 63. Also, following each section of the draft of Title 63.1 are Counsel's notes identifying the source of the provisions of the section and commenting upon any changes therein. Furthermore, preceding the draft of Title 63.1 there is set forth a table of comparable sections, for the purpose of tracing each of the provisions of Title 63 into proposed Title 63.1. This table also indicates those sections of Title 63 which have been deleted. Those who are interested in the major features of the Revision should read the Report of Counsel and the notes following the several sections of Title 63.1, to which reference is hereby made.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Code Commission submits this Report, and recommends that Legislature enact the attached bill in 1968.

The Commission wishes to express appreciation for the valuable assistance rendered by Counsel in the preparation of this Revision, and for the cooperation of officials of the Department of Welfare and Institutions.

Respectfully submitted,

James M. Thomson, Chairman
E. Almer Ames, Jr., Vice-Chairman
Fred W. Bateman
John Wingo Knowles
G. M. Lapsley
Robert b. McIlwaine, III
A. L. Philpott