Virginia 2022 Regular Session All Bills
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB595
Introduced
1/11/22
Refer
1/11/22
Special Assistant to the Governor for Disability Rights Advocacy; position created; report. Creates the position of Special Assistant to the Governor for Disability Rights Advocacy (the Special Assistant) for the purpose of representing Virginians with disabilities in a comprehensive and authoritative manner by ensuring that all state agencies provide adequate services, resources, and accommodations to such persons. The bill directs the Special Assistant to submit an annual report to the Governor on or before December 1, through the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, that (i) outlines the key issues and problems discovered within state agencies that impact people with disabilities; (ii) identifies the details of any plan of action implemented by the Special Assistant to address and remediate such issues and problems; (iii) provides legislative recommendations that would improve processes and procedures across all state agencies with regard to the provision of services, resources, and accommodations to people with disabilities; and (iv) details such other matters as required by the Governor.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB596
Introduced
1/11/22
Refer
1/11/22
Report Pass
1/28/22
Refer
1/28/22
Local rent stabilization authority. Provides that any Local rent stabilization authority. Provides that any locality may by ordinance adopt rent stabilization provisions. The bill provides that no such ordinance shall be adopted until the proposed ordinance has been posted on the locality's website and advertised in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality at least two weeks prior to a public hearing on such ordinance. All landlords who are under rent stabilization may be required to give up to a two-month written notice of a rent increase and cannot increase the rent by more than the locality's rent stabilization allowance, the maximum amount a landlord can increase a tenant's rent during any 12-month period, in effect at the time of the increase, and the bill requires the locality to annually publish this allowance on its website. The allowance is equal to the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index for the region in which the locality sits and is effective for a 12-month period beginning July 1. The bill provides that no such ordinance shall apply to the following: 1. Any unit in a licensed facility, the primary purpose of which is the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, and treatment of illnesses; 2. Any unit in a facility owned or leased by an organization exempt from federal income taxes pursuant to ยง 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, the primary purpose of which is to provide temporary sanctuary or shelter for qualified clients, provided that the organization has notified the clients residing in the facility of the temporary nature of their housing at the inception of their residence; 3. Any owner-occupied group house; 4. Religious facilities, such as churches, synagogues, parsonages, rectories, convents, and parish homes; 5. Transient facilities, such as motels, tourist homes, and bed and breakfast facilities; 6. School dormitories; 7. Licensed assisted living facilities and nursing homes; or 8. Single-family residences. The bill states that such ordinance shall provide a procedure by which a landlord may apply for an exemption from the rent stabilization provisions in situations where the net operating income generated by the rental facility has not been maintained due to escalating operating expenses or for other appropriate reasons as established by the locality. The locality may establish a civil penalty for failure to comply with the requirements set out in the ordinance that shall not exceed $2,500 per separate violation.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB597
Introduced
1/11/22
Refer
1/11/22
Concealed handgun permits; penalties. Changes the penalty for a first violation of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a civil penalty of not more than $100, a second violation from a Class 6 felony to a civil penalty of not more than $500, and a third or subsequent violation from a Class 5 felony to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000. The bill also provides that a person, unless otherwise disqualified, shall not be precluded from applying for a concealed handgun permit during the pendency of the proceedings for a violation. If such person is issued a valid concealed handgun permit while a charge is pending, he may offer such permit to the court and the court may dismiss the charge.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB598
Introduced
1/11/22
Refer
1/11/22
Report Pass
2/1/22
Engrossed
2/4/22
Refer
2/8/22
Report Pass
2/17/22
Enrolled
2/23/22
Chaptered
4/1/22
Passed
4/1/22
Certified surgical technologist; criteria for certification. Requires the Board of Medicine to certify as a surgical technologist any applicant who has practiced as a surgical technologist or attended a surgical technologist training program at any time prior to October 1, 2022, and registers with the Board by December 31, 2022. Under current law, an applicant who practiced as a surgical technologist at any time in the six months prior to July 1, 2021, and registered by December 31, 2021, is eligible for certification by the Board. The bill also provides that no person shall use the designation "C.S.T." or any variation thereof unless such person (i) is certified by the Board and (ii) has successfully completed an accredited surgical technologist training program and holds a current credential as a certified surgical technologist from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or its successor. Certified surgical technologist; criteria for certification. Requires the Board of Medicine to certify as a surgical technologist any applicant who has practiced as a surgical technologist or attended a surgical technologist training program at any time prior to October 1, 2022, and registers with the Board by December 31, 2022. Under current law, an applicant who practiced as a surgical technologist at any time in the six months prior to July 1, 2021, and registered by December 31, 2021, is eligible for certification by the Board. The bill also provides that no person shall use the designation "C.S.T." or any variation thereof unless such person (i) is certified by the Board and (ii) has successfully completed an accredited surgical technologist training program and holds a current credential as a certified surgical technologist from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or its successor.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB599
Introduced
1/11/22
Refer
1/11/22
Virginia Freedom of Information Act; charges for production of public records. Prohibits a public body from charging a requester for any costs incurred during the first two hours spent accessing or searching for requested records when such requester has made four or fewer individual record requests to such public body within 31 consecutive days. The bill provides that for any additional time spent accessing or searching for such records, or when such requester makes five or more individual record requests to such public body within any 31-consecutive-day period, the public body shall not charge an hourly rate for accessing or searching for the records exceeding the lesser of the hourly rate of pay of the lowest-paid individual capable of fulfilling the request or $33 per hour. The bill allows a public body to petition the appropriate court for relief from the $33 per hour fee cap upon showing by a preponderance of the evidence that there is no qualified individual capable of fulfilling the request for $33 per hour or less and requires such petition to be heard within seven days of when the petition is made, provided that the public body has sent and the requester has received a copy of the petition at least three working days prior to filing. The bill also provides that in certain instances a hearing on any petition shall be given precedence on a circuit court's docket over all cases that are not otherwise given precedence by law and that the time period the public body has to respond to a record request shall be tolled between the requester's receipt of the petition and the final disposition of the court. Finally, the bill prohibits a public body from charging a requester for any court costs or fees resulting from a petition and requires a public body to post on its website or otherwise publish a written policy (i) explaining how the public body assesses charges for accessing or searching for requested records and (ii) noting the current fee charged, if any, by the public body for accessing and searching for the requested records. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council. Virginia Freedom of Information Act; charges for production of public records. Prohibits a public body from charging a requester for any costs incurred during the first two hours spent accessing or searching for requested records when such requester has made four or fewer individual record requests to such public body within 31 consecutive days. The bill provides that for any additional time spent accessing or searching for such records, or when such requester makes five or more individual record requests to such public body within any 31-consecutive-day period, the public body shall not charge an hourly rate for accessing or searching for the records exceeding the lesser of the hourly rate of pay of the lowest-paid individual capable of fulfilling the request or $33 per hour. The bill allows a public body to petition the appropriate court for relief from the $33 per hour fee cap upon showing by a preponderance of the evidence that there is no qualified individual capable of fulfilling the request for $33 per hour or less and requires such petition to be heard within seven days of when the petition is made, provided that the public body has sent and the requester has received a copy of the petition at least three working days prior to filing. The bill also provides that in certain instances a hearing on any petition shall be given precedence on a circuit court's docket over all cases that are not otherwise given precedence by law and that the time period the public body has to respond to a record request shall be tolled between the requester's receipt of the petition and the final disposition of the court. Finally, the bill prohibits a public body from charging a requester for any court costs or fees resulting from a petition and requires a public body to post on its website or otherwise publish a written policy (i) explaining how the public body assesses charges for accessing or searching for requested records and (ii) noting the current fee charged, if any, by the public body for accessing and searching for the requested records. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB6
Introduced
12/9/21
Refer
12/9/21
Report Pass
2/8/22
Refer
2/8/22
Report Pass
2/9/22
Engrossed
2/14/22
Refer
2/16/22
Report Pass
2/25/22
Engrossed
3/1/22
Engrossed
3/3/22
Enrolled
3/8/22
Chaptered
4/11/22
Passed
4/11/22
American Revolution 250 Commission; membership. Adds five legislative members to the American Revolution 250 Commission.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB60
Introduced
1/3/22
Refer
1/3/22
Report Pass
1/28/22
Engrossed
2/2/22
Engrossed
2/3/22
Refer
2/4/22
Report Pass
2/21/22
Enrolled
2/25/22
Chaptered
4/11/22
Passed
4/11/22
Economic development authority; Town of Louisa. Provides that the Town of Louisa may appoint from five to seven members to serve on the board of the economic development authority, with terms staggered as agreed upon by the town council. Under current law, unless specifically provided otherwise, the authority consists of seven members.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB600
Introduced
1/11/22
Refer
1/11/22
Unemployment compensation; continuation of benefits; repayment of overpayments. Makes permanent provisions of the Code currently set to expire on July 1, 2022, relating to unemployment compensation. The bill provides that when a claimant has had a determination of initial eligibility for unemployment benefits, as determined by the issuance of compensation or waiting-week credit, payments shall continue, subject to a presumption of continued eligibility, until a determination is made that provides the claimant notice and an opportunity to be heard. Unemployment compensation; continuation of benefits; repayment of overpayments. Makes permanent provisions of the Code currently set to expire on July 1, 2022, relating to unemployment compensation. The bill provides that when a claimant has had a determination of initial eligibility for unemployment benefits, as determined by the issuance of compensation or waiting-week credit, payments shall continue, subject to a presumption of continued eligibility, until a determination is made that provides the claimant notice and an opportunity to be heard. The bill also makes permanent provisions of the Code that require the Virginia Employment Commission to waive the obligation to repay any overpayment if (i) the overpayment was made without fault on the part of the individual receiving benefits and (ii) requiring repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience. Conditions for when overpayments are considered "without fault on the part of the individual" are outlined in the bill. The bill further provides that the Commission shall notify each person with an unpaid overpayment of benefits that he may be entitled to a waiver of repayment and provide 30 days to request such a waiver. This applies to outstanding overpayments established for claim weeks commencing on or after March 15, 2020. The bill allows the Commission to suspend or forgo referring any overpayment established since March 15, 2020, to the collections process indefinitely. All costs that result from implementing provisions of this bill shall be incurred by the Unemployment Compensation Fund.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB601
Introduced
1/11/22
Refer
1/11/22
Automatic renewal or continuous service offer to consumer; cancellation and online opt-out. Requires that the supplier of automatic renewals or continuous service offers that include a free trial notify the consumer of the automatic renewal seven days prior to expiration of the free trial and obtain the consumer's affirmative consent to the automatic renewal beyond the trial period. The bill also requires that exclusively online termination of the subscription be permitted for automatic renewals or continuous service offers accepted by a consumer online.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB602
Introduced
1/11/22
Refer
1/11/22
Department of Flood Control; Commonwealth Flood Plan. Creates the Commonwealth Flood Board as a policy board in the executive branch. The bill provides that the Board's duties shall include, among others, overseeing the development, implementation, and updating of the Commonwealth Flood Plan. The bill also creates the Department of Flood Control under the authority of the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources to provide technical expertise in all aspects related to flood control, management, mitigation, abatement, and recovery. The Commonwealth Flooding Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee is also established in the bill as an advisory committee of the Commonwealth Flood Board to assist the Commonwealth in developing and implementing the Commonwealth Flood Plan.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB603
Introduced
1/11/22
Refer
1/11/22
Elections; conduct of election; ranked choice voting; locally elected offices. Allows elections for any local or constitutional office to be conducted by ranked choice voting. Under current law, only elections of members of a county board of supervisors or a city council are allowed to be conducted by ranked choice voting.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB604
Introduced
1/11/22
Refer
1/11/22
Report Pass
2/1/22
Engrossed
2/4/22
Refer
2/8/22
Report Pass
2/17/22
Enrolled
2/23/22
Chaptered
4/11/22
Passed
4/11/22
Board of Nursing; education programs; oversight. Gives the Board of Nursing the power and duty to prescribe minimum standards and approve curricula for educational programs preparing persons for registration as a medication aide and to provide periodic surveys of training programs. Board of Nursing; education programs; oversight. Gives the Board of Nursing the power and duty to prescribe minimum standards and approve curricula for educational programs preparing persons for registration as a medication aide and to provide periodic surveys of training programs.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB605
Introduced
1/11/22
Refer
1/11/22
Constitutional amendment (voter referendum); marriage; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; affirmative right to marry. Provides for a referendum at the November 8, 2022, election to approve or reject an amendment that would repeal the constitutional provision defining marriage as only a union between a man and woman as well as the related provisions that are no longer valid as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015). The amendment provides that the right to marry is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of persons and requires the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions and agents to issue marriage licenses, recognize marriages, and treat all marriages equally under the law, regardless of the sex or gender of the parties to the marriage. Religious organizations and clergy acting in their religious capacity have the right to refuse to perform any marriage.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB606
Introduced
1/11/22
Refer
1/11/22
Report Pass
1/25/22
Engrossed
1/28/22
Refer
2/1/22
Report Pass
2/28/22
Enrolled
3/8/22
Chaptered
4/11/22
Passed
4/11/22
Fire insurance; appraisers and umpires; citizenship requirements. Removes a requirement that appraisers and umpires who make appraisals for loss or damage to property under the provisions of a fire insurance policy are citizens and residents of the Commonwealth.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB607
Introduced
1/11/22
Refer
1/11/22
Sales and use tax exemption; aircraft components. Extends from July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2027, the sunset date for the sales and use tax exemption for parts, engines, and supplies used for maintaining, repairing, or reconditioning aircraft or any aircraft's avionics system, engine, or component parts.