This amendment adjusts funding in the introduced budget providing a targeted salary increase to DOC correctional officers. The introduced budget included funding to increase the starting salary for DOC correctional officers up to $44,000, and increase the starting salary for deputy sheriffs and regional jail officers to $42,000. This amendment adjusts the funding to set the new starting pay at $42,000 equal to the level for deputy sheriffs and regional jails. This is consistent with § 15.2-1609.2 of the Code of the Virginia which states deputy sheriff pay shall be no less than that of correctional officers. The $42,000 salary increase still results in a 19.8% increase in starting pay for correctional officers. The amendment also adjusts funding to reflect a July 10, 2022 effective date.