Virginia 2023 Regular Session All Bills
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB953
Introduced
1/6/23
Refer
1/6/23
Certificate of public need; expedited review process; work group. Requires the Department of Health to establish an expedited review process for certain projects involving addition of imaging equipment, addition of a new ambulatory or outpatient surgery center, addition of operating rooms at an existing ambulatory or outpatient surgery center, and addition of psychiatric beds or conversion of existing beds at a medical care facility to psychiatric beds and requires the Board of Health to include in regulations governing the certificate of public need program a provision for the development of review criteria and standards for specific medical care facilities and health care services for each health planning region that take into account the unique needs and characteristics of such region. The bill also amends the definition of "charity care," redefines "clinical health service" as "health care service," and adds a definition of "indigent" for purposes of the certificate of public need program. The bill directs the Department of Health to convene a work group of stakeholders to make recommendations for funding options to alleviate the risk of financial insolvency for public and private hospitals with fewer than 100 licensed beds in the event of a future public health emergency. The bill requires the work group to report its recommendations to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions by November 1, 2023.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB954
Introduced
1/6/23
Refer
1/6/23
Report Pass
2/1/23
Virginia Public Procurement Act; construction management and design-build contracting; applicability. Requires a two-step process consisting of (i) a preconstruction contract and (ii) competitive sealed bidding for construction services for certain projects totaling less than $125 million. Complex projects, defined in the bill, may request an exemption from the provisions of the bill and relevant law from the Secretary of Administration. If a complex project totals more than $125 million, the bill provides that an exemption from the provisions of the bill and relevant law is not required. Finally, the bill states that competitive sealed bidding is the preferred method of procurement for construction services in the Commonwealth. Virginia Public Procurement Act; construction management and design-build contracting; applicability. Requires a two-step process consisting of (i) a preconstruction contract and (ii) competitive sealed bidding for construction services for certain projects totaling less than $125 million. Complex projects, defined in the bill, may request an exemption from the provisions of the bill and relevant law from the Secretary of Administration. If a complex project totals more than $125 million, the bill provides that an exemption from the provisions of the bill and relevant law is not required. Finally, the bill states that competitive sealed bidding is the preferred method of procurement for construction services in the Commonwealth.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB955
Introduced
1/6/23
Refer
1/6/23
Report Pass
1/19/23
Report Pass
2/1/23
Engrossed
2/3/23
Refer
2/9/23
Report Pass
2/15/23
Refer
2/15/23
Report Pass
2/20/23
Engrossed
2/23/23
Engrossed
2/23/23
Enrolled
3/7/23
Chaptered
3/26/23
Passed
3/26/23
Public institutions of higher education; tuition grants; Virginia National Guard. Provides that public institutions of higher education may enter into special arrangement contracts with the Virginia Department of Military Affairs for the purpose of providing reduced rate tuition charges for no more than 50 members of the Virginia National Guard receiving state tuition assistance grants per year. The bill also provides that a non-Virginia student shall not receive reduced rate tuition charges unless he has been enrolled in a Virginia public institution of higher education for two years prior to receiving the reduced rate tuition. In order to be eligible for such state tuition assistance grant, a member of the Virginia National Guard must have two years remaining on his service obligation to the Virginia National Guard as of the last day of the last term or semester for which tuition assistance is requested. Current law provides that as a condition of being awarded a tuition assistance grant, a member of the Virginia National Guard will incur a two-year service obligation to commence after the last day of the term or semester for which tuition assistance is requested. Public institutions of higher education; tuition grants; Virginia National Guard. Provides that public institutions of higher education may enter into special arrangement contracts with the Virginia Department of Military Affairs for the purpose of providing reduced rate tuition charges for no more than 50 members of the Virginia National Guard receiving state tuition assistance grants per year. The bill also provides that a non-Virginia student shall not receive reduced rate tuition charges unless he has been enrolled in a Virginia public institution of higher education for two years prior to receiving the reduced rate tuition. In order to be eligible for such state tuition assistance grant, a member of the Virginia National Guard must have two years remaining on his service obligation to the Virginia National Guard as of the last day of the last term or semester for which tuition assistance is requested. Current law provides that as a condition of being awarded a tuition assistance grant, a member of the Virginia National Guard will incur a two-year service obligation to commence after the last day of the term or semester for which tuition assistance is requested.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB956
Introduced
1/6/23
Refer
1/6/23
Report Pass
1/16/23
Engrossed
1/18/23
Refer
2/8/23
Report Pass
2/10/23
Engrossed
2/16/23
Engrossed
2/20/23
Enrolled
2/23/23
Chaptered
4/12/23
Localities; business improvement and recruitment districts. Authorizes any locality to create a local business improvement and recruitment district plan, consisting of fees charged to businesses and used to fund business improvements, business promotions, and business recruitment activities. Localities; business improvement and recruitment districts. Authorizes any locality to create a local business improvement and recruitment district plan, consisting of fees charged to businesses and used to fund business improvements, business promotions, and business recruitment activities.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB957
Introduced
1/6/23
Refer
1/6/23
Report Pass
1/16/23
Report Pass
1/31/23
Engrossed
2/2/23
Engrossed
2/3/23
Refer
2/8/23
Prescription Drug Affordability Board and Fund established; drug cost affordability review. Establishes the Prescription Drug Affordability Board for the purpose of protecting the citizens of the Commonwealth and other stakeholders within the health care system from the high costs of prescription drug products. Prescription Drug Affordability Board and Fund established; drug cost affordability review. Establishes the Prescription Drug Affordability Board for the purpose of protecting the citizens of the Commonwealth and other stakeholders within the health care system from the high costs of prescription drug products. The bill directs the Governor to appoint the members and alternate members of the Board and requires the Board to meet in open session at least four times annually, with certain exceptions and requirements enumerated in the bill. Members of the Board are required to disclose any conflicts of interest, as described in the bill. The bill also creates a stakeholder council for the purpose of assisting the Board in making decisions related to drug cost affordability. The bill tasks the Board with identifying prescription, generic, and other drugs, as defined in the bill, that are offered for sale in the Commonwealth and, at the Board's discretion, conducting an affordability review of any prescription drug product. The bill lists factors for the Board to consider that indicate an affordability challenge for the health care system in the Commonwealth or high out-of-pocket costs for patients. The bill also provides that any person aggrieved by a decision of the Board may request an appeal of the Board's decision and that the Attorney General shall have authority to enforce the provisions of the bill. The bill also creates the Prescription Drug Affordability Fund to be used for funding the operations of the Board and reimbursing state agencies for implementing the provisions of the bill. The bill requires the Board to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly twice annually, beginning on July 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. Provisions of the bill shall apply to state-sponsored and state-regulated health plans and health programs and obligate such policies to limit drug payment amounts and reimbursements to an upper payment limit amount set by the Board, if applicable, following an affordability review. The bill specifies that Medicare Part D plans shall not be bound by such decisions of the Board. The provisions of the bill are contingent on funding in a general appropriation act. Finally, the bill contains a severability clause and has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2024.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB958
Introduced
1/6/23
Refer
1/6/23
Report Pass
1/16/23
Engrossed
1/18/23
Refer
2/9/23
Report Pass
2/20/23
Enrolled
3/7/23
Chaptered
3/27/23
Passed
3/27/23
Writs of actual innocence. Requires the Attorney General to provide written notice of intent to join a petition for a writ of actual innocence to the local attorney for the Commonwealth in the jurisdiction of conviction or adjudication of delinquency. The bill directs the Court of Appeals to dismiss any second or subsequent petition for failure to identify new or different evidence in support of actual innocence or for failure to assert the new or different evidence in a prior petition under circumstances that constitute an abuse of the writ. The bill directs the Attorney General to notify the victim or victim's representative of a hearing scheduled or any oral argument; the victim or victim's representative has the right to attend such hearing or oral argument. Writs of actual innocence. Requires the Attorney General to provide written notice of intent to join a petition for a writ of actual innocence to the local attorney for the Commonwealth in the jurisdiction of conviction or adjudication of delinquency. The bill directs the Court of Appeals to dismiss any second or subsequent petition for failure to identify new or different evidence in support of actual innocence or for failure to assert the new or different evidence in a prior petition under circumstances that constitute an abuse of the writ. The bill directs the Attorney General to notify the victim or victim's representative of a hearing scheduled or any oral argument; the victim or victim's representative has the right to attend such hearing or oral argument.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB959
Introduced
1/6/23
Refer
1/6/23
Report Pass
1/31/23
Engrossed
2/3/23
Refer
2/7/23
Report Pass
2/15/23
Enrolled
2/23/23
Chaptered
3/27/23
Passed
3/27/23
Nutrient credit calculations outside the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Establishes that nutrient credits generated through stream restoration projects that are certified or recertified by the Department of Environmental Quality and located in tributaries outside of the Chesapeake Bay watershed may be calculated using a delivery factor deemed by the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality to be based on the best available scientific and technical information appropriate for the tributaries outside of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Nutrient credit calculations outside the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Establishes that nutrient credits generated through stream restoration projects that are certified or recertified by the Department of Environmental Quality and located in tributaries outside of the Chesapeake Bay watershed may be calculated using a delivery factor deemed by the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality to be based on the best available scientific and technical information appropriate for the tributaries outside of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB960
Introduced
1/6/23
Refer
1/6/23
Youth Health Protection Act established; civil penalty. Creates the Youth Health Protection Act, which makes it unlawful for any individual to provide gender transition procedures for minors and prohibits the use of public funds for gender transition procedures. The bill allows parents, guardians, or custodians to withhold consent for any treatment, activity, or mental health care services that are designed and intended to form their child's conceptions of sex and gender or to treat gender dysphoria or gender nonconformity. The bill prohibits government agents, other than law-enforcement personnel, from encouraging or coercing a minor to withhold information from the minor's parent. The bill establishes a duty for a government agent with knowledge that a minor has exhibited symptoms of gender dysphoria or gender nonconformity or otherwise demonstrates a desire to be treated in a manner incongruent with the minor's sex to immediately notify each of the minor's parents, guardians, or custodians in writing, with descriptions of relevant circumstances. The bill prohibits discrimination against persons (i) providing information regarding violations of the Act to their employer or specified public entities or (ii) who make disclosures under the Act believed to be (a) any violation of law, rule, or regulation; (b) any violation of any standard of care or other ethical guidelines for the provision of health care service; or (c) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. The bill establishes a civil action for any violation of the Act by a clinic, health care system, medical professional, or other responsible person with a two-year statute of limitations. The bill prohibits political subdivisions of the Commonwealth from enacting, adopting, maintaining, or enforcing any measure that interferes with the professional conduct and judgment of a mental health care professional or counselor undertaken within the course of treatment and communication with clients, patients, other persons, or the public. The bill provides for enforcement by the Attorney General or a mental health care professional or counselor through an action for injunctive relief and allows a mental health care professional to recover reasonable attorney fees and reasonable costs incurred in obtaining an injunction. The bill waives sovereign immunity to suit and immunity from liability under this provision of the bill. Youth Health Protection Act established; civil penalty. Creates the Youth Health Protection Act, which makes it unlawful for any individual to provide gender transition procedures for minors and prohibits the use of public funds for gender transition procedures. The bill allows parents, guardians, or custodians to withhold consent for any treatment, activity, or mental health care services that are designed and intended to form their child's conceptions of sex and gender or to treat gender dysphoria or gender nonconformity. The bill prohibits government agents, other than law-enforcement personnel, from encouraging or coercing a minor to withhold information from the minor's parent. The bill establishes a duty for a government agent with knowledge that a minor has exhibited symptoms of gender dysphoria or gender nonconformity or otherwise demonstrates a desire to be treated in a manner incongruent with the minor's sex to immediately notify each of the minor's parents, guardians, or custodians in writing, with descriptions of relevant circumstances. The bill prohibits discrimination against persons (i) providing information regarding violations of the Act to their employer or specified public entities or (ii) who make disclosures under the Act believed to be (a) any violation of law, rule, or regulation; (b) any violation of any standard of care or other ethical guidelines for the provision of health care service; or (c) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. The bill establishes a civil action for any violation of the Act by a clinic, health care system, medical professional, or other responsible person with a two-year statute of limitations. The bill prohibits political subdivisions of the Commonwealth from enacting, adopting, maintaining, or enforcing any measure that interferes with the professional conduct and judgment of a mental health care professional or counselor undertaken within the course of treatment and communication with clients, patients, other persons, or the public. The bill provides for enforcement by the Attorney General or a mental health care professional or counselor through an action for injunctive relief and allows a mental health care professional to recover reasonable attorney fees and reasonable costs incurred in obtaining an injunction. The bill waives sovereign immunity to suit and immunity from liability under this provision of the bill.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB961
Introduced
1/6/23
Refer
1/6/23
Report Pass
1/23/23
Engrossed
1/25/23
Refer
2/8/23
Report Pass
2/10/23
Enrolled
2/20/23
Chaptered
3/21/23
Passed
3/21/23
Charter; Town of Farmville. Establishes a new charter for the Town of Farmville in Prince Edward County and repeals the current charter, which was created in 1956. The proposed charter sets out the organization of the town's government and contains powers typically granted to towns.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB962
Introduced
1/6/23
Refer
1/6/23
Elementary and secondary schools; athletics; participation in female sports; civil cause of action. Requires each public elementary or secondary school and each private elementary or secondary school that competes in sponsored athletic events against such public schools to designate all interscholastic athletic teams and intramural athletic teams sponsored by such school based on biological sex as follows: (i) for "males," "men," or "boys"; (ii) for "females," "women," or "girls"; or (iii) as "coed" or "mixed" if such team is open to participation by (a) "males," "men," or "boys" and (b) "females," "women," or "girls." The bill prohibits students whose biological sex is male from participating on any school athletic team or squad designated for "females," "women," or "girls." Finally, the bill creates a civil cause of action for students and schools that suffer harm as a result of a violation of the provisions of the bill, provided that such action is initiated within two years of the harm occurring.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB963
Introduced
1/6/23
Refer
1/6/23
Report Pass
1/31/23
Engrossed
2/3/23
Refer
2/7/23
Report Pass
2/8/23
Enrolled
2/15/23
Chaptered
3/22/23
Passed
3/22/23
South Central Wastewater Authority; watershed general permit for nutrients. Directs the South Central Wastewater Authority (SCWWA) to submit a phased construction program to the Department of Environmental Quality (the Department) by August 1, 2023, which the Department shall approve by September 1, 2023, or as soon as possible thereafter. Such phased upgrade construction program for the SCWWA shall be completed as soon as possible on a schedule approved by the Department but no later than January 1, 2030. The bill requires the SCWWA to begin the initial phase of construction by December 31, 2023, or within 150 days of approval by the Department of the phased construction program, whichever is later. The bill requires the SCWWA to comply with certain requirements regarding its progress toward completing the phased construction program. The bill also directs the Department to amend certain water quality improvement agreements and the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for the SCWWA wastewater treatment facility to conform to the provisions of the bill.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB964
Introduced
1/6/23
Refer
1/6/23
Report Pass
2/2/23
Engrossed
2/6/23
Refer
2/9/23
Report Pass
2/13/23
Enrolled
2/21/23
Chaptered
3/22/23
Passed
3/22/23
Certain child day programs exempt from licensure by the Superintendent of Public Instruction; age of children in attendance. Clarifies that any child day program offered by a private school accredited by and in good standing with the Virginia Council for Private Education, operated for no more than four hours per day, staffed by the accredited private school's employees, and attended by school-age children who are enrolled in the accredited private school is exempt from licensure by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Current law provides a licensure exemption for any such program that is attended by children who are at least five years of age.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB965
Introduced
1/6/23
Refer
1/6/23
Voter registration; verification of social security numbers; provisional registration status. Requires the general registrar to verify that the name, date of birth, and social security number provided by an applicant on the voter registration application match the information on file in the Social Security Administration database or other database approved by the State Board of Elections before registering such applicant. If the information provided by the applicant does not match the information on file in such database, the applicant (i) is provisionally registered to vote and notified as to what steps are needed to be fully registered to vote and (ii) is permitted to vote by provisional ballot but such ballot shall not be counted until the voter presents certain information. The bill also requires the general registrar to verify annually no later than August 1 that the name, date of birth, and social security number in the registration record of each registered voter in the registrar's jurisdiction match the information on file with the Social Security Administration or other database approved by the State Board and, in accordance with current law, to initiate the cancellation of the registration of any voter whose registration record information does not match the database information. The State Board is authorized to approve the use of any government database to the extent required to enable each general registrar to carry out the provisions of the bill and to promulgate rules for the use of such database. The Department of Elections is required to provide each general registrar access to the Social Security Administration database and any other database approved by the State Board. The Department is further required to enter into any agreement with any federal or state agency to facilitate such access. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2025. Voter registration; verification of social security numbers; provisional registration status. Requires the general registrar to verify that the name, date of birth, and social security number provided by an applicant on the voter registration application match the information on file in the Social Security Administration database or other database approved by the State Board of Elections before registering such applicant. If the information provided by the applicant does not match the information on file in such database, the applicant (i) is provisionally registered to vote and notified as to what steps are needed to be fully registered to vote and (ii) is permitted to vote by provisional ballot but such ballot shall not be counted until the voter presents certain information. The bill also requires the general registrar to verify annually no later than August 1 that the name, date of birth, and social security number in the registration record of each registered voter in the registrar's jurisdiction match the information on file with the Social Security Administration or other database approved by the State Board and, in accordance with current law, to initiate the cancellation of the registration of any voter whose registration record information does not match the database information. The State Board is authorized to approve the use of any government database to the extent required to enable each general registrar to carry out the provisions of the bill and to promulgate rules for the use of such database. The Department of Elections is required to provide each general registrar access to the Social Security Administration database and any other database approved by the State Board. The Department is further required to enter into any agreement with any federal or state agency to facilitate such access. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2025.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB966
Introduced
1/6/23
Refer
1/6/23
Report Pass
1/27/23
Compensation of local jails for cost of incarceration. Requires the Department of Corrections to compensate local jails for the actual cost, based on the rate calculated in the Compensation Board's annual jail cost report, of incarcerating felons who should otherwise be confined in a state correctional facility. Current law provides for local jails to be compensated at the rate set forth in the general appropriation act.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB967
Introduced
1/6/23
Refer
1/6/23
Voter registration; registering in person up to and including the day of the election; limited to certain persons. Provides that only members of a uniformed service, as defined in relevant law, persons who are residing temporarily outside of the United States, and spouses or dependents of such members or persons are entitled to register to vote after the close of registration records in person up to and including the day of the election. Under current law, any person who is qualified to register to vote is entitled to register to vote after the close of registration records up to and including the day of the election.