Virginia Governor Reviewing Sterilization Compensation Rules

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is reviewing regulations for compensating victims who were involuntarily sterilized decades ago by state officials.

The General Assembly gave the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services 280 days to develop the regulations after the budget was enacted. Department spokeswoman Maria Reppas told The News and Advance that McAuliffe has until Dec. 26 to sign the regulations.

Victims advocate Mark Bold says potential victims or their representatives should begin gathering documents such as medical records.

The General Assembly budgeted $400,000 to compensate victims at the rate of $25,000 each. More than 7,000 Virginians were involuntarily sterilized between 1924 and 1979 under the Virginia Eugenical Sterilization Act. The sterilizations were performed at six state institutions.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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