Virginia 2024 Regular Session All Bills
VA
Virginia 2024 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB318
Introduced
1/9/24
Refer
1/9/24
Report Pass
1/18/24
Public institutions of higher education; Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program established; report. Establishes the Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program to address student food insecurity at public institutions of higher education. The bill provides that the Program shall be managed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and available for participation by public institutions of higher education; however, participation in the Program shall be optional for such institutions. Under the bill, if a public institution of higher education satisfies certain criteria set out in the bill, including creating initiatives on campus to address student food insecurity, it shall be designated as a "Hunger-Free Campus" and the Council shall award a grant to such institution. A public institution of higher education that receives a grant under the bill shall utilize the funds to support on-campus efforts and initiatives to eliminate student food insecurity at such institution. The bill requires the Council to submit a report to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Education no later than two years after the establishment of the Program. Public institutions of higher education; Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program established; report. Establishes the Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program to address student food insecurity at public institutions of higher education. The bill provides that the Program shall be managed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and available for participation by public institutions of higher education; however, participation in the Program shall be optional for such institutions. Under the bill, if a public institution of higher education satisfies certain criteria set out in the bill, including creating initiatives on campus to address student food insecurity, it shall be designated as a "Hunger-Free Campus" and the Council shall award a grant to such institution. A public institution of higher education that receives a grant under the bill shall utilize the funds to support on-campus efforts and initiatives to eliminate student food insecurity at such institution. The bill requires the Council to submit a report to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Education no later than two years after the establishment of the Program.
VA
Virginia 2024 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB319
Introduced
1/9/24
Refer
1/10/24
Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm following an assault and battery against a person in a dating relationship with the alleged offender, penalty. Provides that any person who knowingly and intentionally purchases, possesses, or transports any firearm following a misdemeanor conviction for an offense that occurred on or after July 1, 2024, for the offense of assault and battery against a person in a dating relationship, as defined in the bill, with the alleged offender or an offense substantially similar under the laws of any other state or of the United States is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
VA
Virginia 2024 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB32
Introduced
12/15/23
Refer
12/15/23
Voter registration; verification of social security 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, 2026.
VA
Virginia 2024 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB320
Introduced
1/9/24
Refer
1/9/24
Report Pass
1/18/24
Report Pass
1/31/24
Engrossed
2/2/24
Refer
2/13/24
Report Pass
2/20/24
Refer
2/20/24
Department of Health; WIC applications; information. Directs the Department of Health to provide information, resources, and education to food banks regarding providing assistance to individuals completing a Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) application. The bill also directs the Department of Health to explore strategies to support the outreach and education efforts for food banks pursuant to the bill and report its findings and recommendations to the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and Education and Health and the House Committees on Appropriations and Health and Human Services by November 1, 2024.
VA
Virginia 2024 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB321
Introduced
1/9/24
Refer
1/9/24
Report Pass
2/7/24
Engrossed
2/9/24
Refer
2/15/24
Report Pass
2/23/24
Engrossed
2/28/24
Engrossed
3/1/24
Enrolled
3/6/24
Chaptered
4/5/24
Passed
4/5/24
Protected information in administrative and civil proceedings; newspersons engaged in journalism. Expands the protected information privilege for newspersons to administrative and civil proceedings. Under current law, a newsperson engaged in journalism shall not be compelled by the Commonwealth or a locality to testify about, disclose, or produce protected information, with certain exceptions, in criminal proceedings only. Protected information in administrative and civil proceedings; newspersons engaged in journalism. Expands the protected information privilege for newspersons to administrative and civil proceedings. Under current law, a newsperson engaged in journalism shall not be compelled by the Commonwealth or a locality to testify about, disclose, or produce protected information, with certain exceptions, in criminal proceedings only.
VA
Virginia 2024 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB322
Introduced
1/9/24
Refer
1/9/24
Statewide prioritization process; primary evacuation routes. Adds maintenance of primary evacuation routes to the list of factors that must be considered by the Commonwealth Transportation Board as part of the statewide prioritization process for project selection. The bill directs the Board, in incorporating this new factor into the prioritization process, to not assign a weight to such factor and, instead, to set a bonus point value that may be added for projects that include maintenance of primary evacuation routes and shall apply such bonus point values to such projects when applicable.
VA
Virginia 2024 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB323
Introduced
1/9/24
Refer
1/9/24
Report Pass
1/25/24
Engrossed
1/30/24
Refer
2/13/24
Report Pass
2/22/24
Enrolled
3/6/24
Chaptered
4/4/24
Passed
4/4/24
Percy Lee House, III Memorial Bridge. Designates the bridge on Otterdam Road over Interstate 95 in Greensville County the "Percy Lee House, III Memorial Bridge."
VA
Virginia 2024 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB324
Introduced
1/9/24
Refer
1/9/24
Report Pass
1/24/24
Report Pass
1/31/24
Engrossed
2/2/24
Refer
2/13/24
Report Pass
2/22/24
Enrolled
3/4/24
Chaptered
4/8/24
Passed
4/8/24
Virginia Freedom of Information Act; charges for production of public records; report. Prohibits a public body from charging a requester for any costs incurred during the first hour spent accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for records requested in conjunction with the requester's first request. The bill provides that for any additional time spent accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for such records, or for any additional record requests, the public body shall not charge an hourly rate for accessing, duplicating, supplying, 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 $40 per hour. The bill allows a public body to petition the appropriate court for relief from the $40-per-hour fee cap upon showing by a preponderance of the evidence that there is no qualified individual capable of fulfilling the request for $40 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. The bill prohibits a public body from charging a requester for any court costs or fees resulting from a petition. The bill directs the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council to study whether public bodies should charge requesters pursuant to the bill and report on its findings by December 2024. The provisions of the bill amending the Code of Virginia do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2025 Session of the General Assembly. Virginia Freedom of Information Act; charges for production of public records; report. Prohibits a public body from charging a requester for any costs incurred during the first hour spent accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for records requested in conjunction with the requester's first request. The bill provides that for any additional time spent accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for such records, or for any additional record requests, the public body shall not charge an hourly rate for accessing, duplicating, supplying, 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 $40 per hour. The bill allows a public body to petition the appropriate court for relief from the $40-per-hour fee cap upon showing by a preponderance of the evidence that there is no qualified individual capable of fulfilling the request for $40 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. The bill prohibits a public body from charging a requester for any court costs or fees resulting from a petition. The bill directs the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council to study whether public bodies should charge requesters pursuant to the bill and report on its findings by December 2024. The provisions of the bill amending the Code of Virginia do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2025 Session of the General Assembly.
VA
Virginia 2024 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB325
Introduced
1/9/24
Refer
1/9/24
Report Pass
1/18/24
Report Pass
1/30/24
Engrossed
2/1/24
Refer
2/13/24
Report Pass
2/15/24
Enrolled
2/26/24
Chaptered
3/20/24
Passed
3/20/24
Vital records; birth certificates; adoption; members of the military. Directs the State Registrar to expedite issuance of a new birth certificate upon receipt of certain documentation for a person born in the Commonwealth if at least one adoptive parent is an active duty or retired member of the military or military reserves. The bill directs the court decreeing the adoption to deliver such records to the State Registrar no later than five business days from such decree.
VA
Virginia 2024 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB326
Introduced
1/9/24
Refer
1/9/24
Report Pass
2/6/24
Campaign finance; prohibited contributions to candidates. Prohibits candidates, campaign committees, and political committees from soliciting or accepting contributions from any public utility, as defined in the bill, and prohibits any public utility or any political committee established by such public utility from making any such contribution.
VA
Virginia 2024 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB327
Introduced
1/9/24
Refer
1/9/24
Report Pass
1/31/24
Report Pass
2/7/24
Engrossed
2/9/24
Engrossed
2/13/24
Refer
2/15/24
Report Pass
2/16/24
Engrossed
2/21/24
Engrossed
3/6/24
Engrossed
3/6/24
Enrolled
3/25/24
Vetoed
3/27/24
Purchase of certain firearms; age requirement; penalty. Prohibits any person under 21 years of age from purchasing a handgun or assault firearm, with exceptions for the purchase of an assault firearm by a law-enforcement officer, correctional officer, jail officer, or member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the Virginia National Guard, or the National Guard of any other state. Accordingly, the bill prohibits a licensed dealer from selling, renting, trading, or transferring from his inventory a handgun or assault firearm to any person under 21 years of age. A violation of either prohibition is a Class 6 felony. The bill also expands the definition of "assault firearm" as the term applies to criminal history record information checks.
VA
Virginia 2024 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB328
Introduced
1/9/24
Refer
1/9/24
Virginia Retirement System; enhanced retirement benefits for 911 dispatchers. Allows local governments to provide enhanced retirement benefits for hazardous duty service to full-time salaried 911 dispatchers. The bill provides that such enhanced retirement benefits apply only to service earned as a full-time salaried 911 dispatcher on or after July 1, 2025, but allows an employer, as that term is defined in relevant law, to provide such enhanced retirement benefits for service earned as a full-time salaried 911 dispatcher before July 1, 2025, in addition to service earned on or after that date. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2025. Virginia Retirement System; enhanced retirement benefits for 911 dispatchers. Allows local governments to provide enhanced retirement benefits for hazardous duty service to full-time salaried 911 dispatchers. The bill provides that such enhanced retirement benefits apply only to service earned as a full-time salaried 911 dispatcher on or after July 1, 2025, but allows an employer, as that term is defined in relevant law, to provide such enhanced retirement benefits for service earned as a full-time salaried 911 dispatcher before July 1, 2025, in addition to service earned on or after that date. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2025.
VA
Virginia 2024 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB329
Introduced
1/9/24
Refer
1/9/24
Report Pass
2/5/24
Report Pass
2/8/24
Engrossed
2/12/24
Refer
2/16/24
Report Pass
2/28/24
Refer
2/28/24
Report Pass
3/4/24
Enrolled
3/25/24
Vetoed
3/27/24
Compost and other products containing organic soil amendments infrastructure; civil penalty. Allows a locality by ordinance to require certain generators, as defined in the bill, of large quantities of organic waste to separate the organic waste from other solid waste and ensure that the organic waste is diverted from final disposal in a refuse disposal system. The bill allows a locality to establish civil penalties for violations of such ordinance but requires the locality to issue a warning to a generator that violates the ordinance prior to collecting such a civil penalty. Finally, the bill expresses that it is the intent of the General Assembly that new public school buildings and facilities and improvements and renovations to existing public school buildings and facilities include waste disposal infrastructure, as defined in the bill. Compost and other products containing organic soil amendments infrastructure; civil penalty. Allows a locality by ordinance to require certain generators, as defined in the bill, of large quantities of organic waste to separate the organic waste from other solid waste and ensure that the organic waste is diverted from final disposal in a refuse disposal system. The bill allows a locality to establish civil penalties for violations of such ordinance but requires the locality to issue a warning to a generator that violates the ordinance prior to collecting such a civil penalty. Finally, the bill expresses that it is the intent of the General Assembly that new public school buildings and facilities and improvements and renovations to existing public school buildings and facilities include waste disposal infrastructure, as defined in the bill.
VA
Virginia 2024 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB33
Introduced
12/16/23
Refer
12/16/23
Report Pass
1/25/24
Engrossed
1/29/24
Refer
2/13/24
Supervision of certified registered nurse anesthetists; work group; report. Clarifies that supervision of a certified registered nurse anesthetist requires that a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, podiatry, or dentistry is present during an operation or procedure or is immediately available to respond and provide patient care as needed. The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, in collaboration with the Board of Medicine, Board of Nursing, and Department of Health Professions, to convene a work group of relevant stakeholders to evaluate and make recommendations to increase the anesthesia provider workforce in the Commonwealth. 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 and Human Services by November 1, 2024.
VA
Virginia 2024 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB330
Introduced
1/9/24
Refer
1/9/24
Report Pass
1/17/24
Engrossed
1/22/24
Refer
2/13/24
Report Pass
2/15/24
Enrolled
2/26/24
Chaptered
3/20/24
Passed
3/20/24
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; real estate board; continuing education requirements for real estate brokers and salespersons. Increases from eight to 11 the number of hours of continuing education an applicant for relicensure as a real estate broker or salesperson shall complete in the topics of ethics and standards of conduct, fair housing, legal updates and emerging trends, real estate agency, and real estate contracts. The bill also decreases from eight to five the number of hours of general elective courses such applicants shall complete. The bill directs the Real Estate Board to adopt regulations to implement the provisions of the bill against current licensees beginning in such licensee's next full renewal cycle following the effective date of such regulations.