RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)- During the special session in Virginia, the House and Senate have both passed bills to empower civilian review boards but Democrats are still split on some key policy points.

How lawmakers reconcile those differences will have a big impact on where these independent panels are established and which law enforcement agencies are subject to heightened scrutiny.

Del. Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria) has said requiring localities to set up civilian review boards would ensure police are held accountable no matter where they work. Herring, the House Democratic Caucus Chair, introduced a bill that would mandate the creation of these boards by July 2021.

Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield), who introduced the Senate version of the bill, said it should be optional.

"The im

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