SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2015 SESSION

  • print version
Senate Committee on Education and Health

Chairman: Stephen H. Martin

Clerk: Patty Lung
Staff: Thomas Stevens, Ryan Brimmer
Date of Meeting: January 29, 2015
Time and Place: 8:00 A.M. - Senate Room B
Updated to add SB 1404 and remove SB 1227

S.B. 718

Patron: Stanley

Telemedicine; pilot program. Directs the Department of Health, in partnership with a hospital licensed in the Commonwealth, to establish a three-year telemedicine pilot program designed to reduce patient use of emergency department facilities for the treatment of low-acuity conditions. The bill requires the Department to report the results of the pilot program to the State Board of Health and to the General Assembly by October 1, 2018.

A BILL directing the Department of Health to establish a three-year telemedicine pilot program.

15100725D

S.B. 727

Patron: Black

A-F school grading system. Repeals the A-F school grading system created in the 2013 Session and amended in the 2014 Session.

A BILL to repeal Chapters 672 and 692 of the Acts of Assembly of 2013 and Chapters 480 and 485 of the Acts of Assembly of 2014, relating to the A-F school grading system.

15102949D

S.B. 733

Patron: Locke

Ultrasound prior to abortion. Removes the requirement that a woman undergo a fetal transabdominal ultrasound prior to an abortion.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-76 of the Code of Virginia, relating to requirement for ultrasound prior to abortion.

15101829D

S.B. 750

Patrons: Black, Barker

Hospitals; required notice to patients. Requires hospitals to provide oral and written notice to any patient that has been placed in observation or outpatient status that he has been placed in such status if (i) the patient receives onsite services from the hospital and (ii) such onsite services include a hospital bed and meals that are provided in an area of the hospital other than the emergency department.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 32.1 a section numbered 32.1-137.03, relating to hospitals; required notice to patients.

15100972D

S.B. 769

Patron: McEachin

Essential health benefits; abortion coverage. Removes the prohibition on the provision of coverage for abortions in any qualified health insurance plan that is sold or offered for sale through a health benefits exchange established or operating in Virginia.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 38.2-3451 of the Code of Virginia, relating to health insurance; essential health benefits; abortion coverage.

15100204D

S.B. 776

Patron: Newman

Direct access to physical therapy. Provides that a physical therapist who has completed a doctor of physical therapy program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education or who has obtained a certificate of authorization may evaluate and treat patients for up to 30 days after an initial evaluation without a referral if (i) the patient is not receiving care from a licensed health care provider for the symptoms giving rise to the presentation at the time of the presentation to the physical therapist for physical therapy services or (ii) the patient is receiving care from a licensed health care provider at the time of his presentation to the physical therapist for the symptoms giving rise to the presentation for physical therapy services and the patient identifies a health care provider from whom he is currently receiving care, the patient gives written consent for the physical therapist to release all personal health information and treatment records to the identified practitioner, and the physical therapist notifies the practitioner identified by the patient no later than 14 days after treatment commences and provides the practitioner with a copy of the initial evaluation along with a copy of the patient history obtained by the physical therapist. The bill allows a physical therapist who has not completed a doctor of physical therapy program approved by the American Physical Therapy Association or received a certificate of authorization to conduct a one-time evaluation of a patient who has not met the criteria for evaluation and treatment without a referral and direction, provided the physical therapist does not provide treatment. The bill eliminates the requirement for continuing education for physical therapists who have received a certificate of authorization and eliminates the advisory committee established to consult with the Board of Physical Therapy in promulgating regulations for minimum education, training, and experience criteria.

 

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-3482 and 54.1-3482.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to direct access to physical therapy.

15100821D

S.B. 817

Patron: Howell

Prescription Monitoring Program; disclosure of information. Requires the Director of the Department of Health Professions to disclose information relevant to a specific investigation, supervision, or monitoring of a specific recipient for purposes of the administration of criminal justice from the Prescription Monitoring Program to a probation or parole officer or local community-based probation officer who has completed the Virginia State Police Drug Diversion School designated by the Director of the Department of Corrections or his designee.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2523 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Prescription Monitoring Program; disclosure of information.

15102355D

S.B. 830

Patron: Edwards

School calendar; continuing waivers. Requires the Board of Education to waive the requirement that a local school board set the first day students are required to attend school to be after Labor Day for any local school board that was granted a "good cause" waiver of this requirement for the 2011-2012 school year.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-79.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the opening of the school year.

15102444D

S.B. 835

Patron: Edwards

Newborn screening; Krabbe disease. Requires the screening tests conducted on every infant born in the Commonwealth to include a screening test for Krabbe disease and other lysosomal storage disorders.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-65 of the Code of Virginia, relating to newborn screening; Krabbe disease.

15101750D

S.B. 837

Patron: Puller

Emergency medical services personnel; background checks; process. Creates an alternative method for national criminal history background checks for emergency medical services personnel, allowing local governments that have procedures in place for the collection of fingerprints and personal descriptive information and the forwarding of such fingerprints and information directly to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to do so instead of forwarding fingerprints and information through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the national criminal history background checks.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-111.5 of the Code of Virginia, relating to emergency medical services personnel; background checks; process.

15101261D

S.B. 851

Patron: Favola

Hospital discharge procedures; designation of individual to receive information and instructions. Requires hospitals to provide patients with the opportunity to designate an individual to receive information about the patient's discharge plan, together with information and instruction about any follow-up care, treatment, or services that the individual may require, and requires hospitals to provide a discharge plan and information regarding follow-up care, treatment, and services to the designated individual prior to the patient's discharge or transfer to another facility.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 32.1-137.03, relating to discharge planning; designation of individual to provide care.

15101156D

S.B. 857

Patron: Ebbin

Hospitals; required notice to patients. Requires hospitals to provide oral and written notice to any patient that has been placed in observation or outpatient status that he has been placed in such status if (i) the patient receives onsite services from the hospital and (ii) such onsite services include a hospital bed and meals that are provided in an area of the hospital other than the emergency department.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 32.1 a section numbered 32.1-137.03, relating to hospitals; required notice to patients.

15100949D

S.B. 877

Patron: Cosgrove

Recognition of EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact. Creates the Recognition of Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact to (i) protect the public through verification of competency and ensuring of accountability for patient-care-related activities of licensed emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, (ii) facilitate the day-to-day movement of EMS personnel across state boundaries in the performance of their EMS duties as assigned by an appropriate authority, and (iii) authorize state EMS offices to afford immediate legal recognition to EMS personnel licensed in a member state.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 32.1 a chapter numbered 17, consisting of a section numbered 32.1-370, relating to the Recognition of Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact.

15102646D

S.B. 895

Patron: Alexander

Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. Clarifies the definition of "embalming" to include details on the process and its purpose; eliminates the requirement that the Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers offer examinations for licensure at least quarterly; adds mental or physical incapacity to practice his profession with safety to the public to the list of causes for which the Board may refuse to admit a candidate to an examination or may suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue a license; eliminates the requirement that all licenses be signed by the president and secretary of the Board and stamped with the seal of the Board; and makes other technical changes to provisions related to the Board.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-2800, 54.1-2802, 54.1-2806, 54.1-2815, and 54.1-2819 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers.

15101840D

S.B. 900

Patron: Barker

Public schools; Standards of Learning assessments. Requires the Board of Education to promulgate regulations authorizing local school divisions to determine the date for administering Standards of Learning assessments.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public schools; Standards of Learning assessments.

15101637D

S.B. 901

Patron: Lucas

Restricted volunteer license for registered and practical nurses and nurse practitioners. Creates a new restricted volunteer license for registered and practical nurses and nurse practitioners who practice in public health or community free clinics that provide services to underserved populations.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-2957.001 and by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 30 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-3011.01, relating to restricted volunteer license for registered and practical nurses and nurse practitioners.

15102503D

S.B. 902

Patron: Petersen

Minors; procedures for collection of physical evidence. Allows a licensed physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse to perform a physical evidence recovery kit examination for an unemancipated minor whom he reasonably suspects is an abused or neglected child, provided (i) the licensed physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse reports the suspected abuse, (ii) there is a need to conduct the examination in order to preserve physical evidence of the alleged abuse from degradation, and (iii) a good faith effort has been made to obtain consent to the examination from a parent or other legally authorized representative and such consent either has not been obtained or was refused.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2970.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to minors; procedures for collection of physical evidence.

15102038D

S.B. 916

Patron: Wexton

Diploma seals; biliteracy. Requires the Board of Education to establish criteria for awarding a diploma seal of biliteracy to any student who demonstrates proficiency in a language other than English. The bill requires the Board to consider including criteria based on the student's (i) score on a College Board Advanced Placement foreign language examination, (ii) score on an SAT II Subject Test in a foreign language, (iii) proficiency level on an ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) measure or another nationally or internationally recognized language proficiency test, or (iv) cumulative grade point average in a sequence of foreign language courses approved by the Board.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to diploma seals; biliteracy.

15101050D

S.B. 920

Patron: Wexton

Timing of ultrasound prior to abortion; informed consent. Removes the specific time frame for performance of a pre-abortion ultrasound, a requirement of informed consent prior to abortion. Current law requires the ultrasound take place at least 24 hours prior to the abortion or at least two hours prior if the woman lives at least 100 miles from the facility where the abortion is to be performed.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-76 of the Code of Virginia, relating to informed consent; pre-abortion ultrasound.

15102243D

S.B. 944

Patron: Favola

Home health and hospice organizations; reporting requirements concerning health professionals. Adds the director of a licensed home health organization, the director of a licensed hospice organization and the director of an accredited home health organization exempt from licensure to the list of those persons required to report to the Director of the Department of Health Professions disciplinary actions against and certain disorders of health professionals. Current law requires the chief executive officer and chief of staff of a hospital or other health care institution and the administrator of an assisted living facility to make such reports. The bill contains technical amendments.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2400.6 of the Code of Virginia, relating to home health and hospice organizations; reporting requirements.

15101782D

S.B. 951

Patron: Alexander

Disposition of dead bodies. Clarifies the role of a person other than a decedent's next of kin, a person designated to make arrangements for the decedent's burial or the disposition of his remains, an agent named in an advance directive, or a court-appointed guardian to make decisions regarding the disposition of a decedent's remains. The bill defines "disposition" as the burial, interment, entombment, cremation, or other authorized disposition of a dead body.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 32.1-309.1, 32.1-309.2, and 54.1-2818.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to disposition of dead bodies.

15100228D

S.B. 959

Patron: Newman

Board of Medicine; licensure. Provides that supervised clinical training that is received in the United States as part of the curriculum of an international medical school may fulfill the requirements for licensure by the Board of Medicine if the clinical training is in a program acceptable to the Board and deemed a substantially equivalent experience. Current law requires such clinical training to be received in a hospital, institution, or school that offers an approved residency program in the specialty area for the relevant clinical training.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2930 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Board of Medicine; licensure.

15101097D

S.B. 966

Patron: Barker

Temporary detention order; custody. Removes the requirement that a person subject to a temporary detention order remain in the custody of the community services board for the duration of the order. This requirement was in conflict with other Code sections that require that such person remain in the custody of law enforcement until custody is transferred to a facility (§ 37.2-809 (E)) or to an alternative transportation provider (§ 37.2-810 (B)).

A BILL to amend and reenact § 37.2-809.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to temporary detention order; custody.

15101609D

S.B. 980

Patron: Favola

Public schools; teacher grievance procedures. Gives a teacher who has been recommended for dismissal by the superintendent the option of requesting a hearing before a three person fact-finding panel consisting of one person chosen by the teacher, one person chosen by the superintendent, and one impartial third member, thus restoring this option for a fact-finding panel that was eliminated by act of assembly in 2013. The fact-finding panel conducts a hearing and presents findings of fact and recommendations to the full school board for a decision regarding the teacher's dismissal. The bill also requires the full school board to conduct a further hearing when its decision is at variance with the recommendation of the fact-finding panel.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-507, 22.1-298.1, 22.1-309, 22.1-311, and 22.1-313 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-312.1, relating to teacher grievance procedures.

15100797D

S.B. 982

Patron: Garrett

Public schools; graduation requirements; verified credits. Requires the Board of Education, in its course and credit requirements for earning a high school diploma, to provide that no verified unit of credit shall require a minimum number of clock hours of instruction.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public schools; graduation requirements; verified credits.

15101034D

S.B. 997

Patron: Stuart

Emergency medical services personnel; background checks; process. Creates an alternative method for criminal history background checks for emergency medical services personnel, allowing local governments that have procedures in place for the collection of fingerprints and personal descriptive information and the forwarding of such fingerprints and information directly to the Department of State Police or the Federal Bureau of Investigation to do so instead of forwarding fingerprints and information through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the national criminal history background checks.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-111.5 of the Code of Virginia, relating to emergency medical services personnel; background checks; process.

15101254D

S.B. 1020

Patron: Miller

Public schools; Standards of Learning assessments. Reduces, beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, the total number and type of required Standards of Learning assessments to the minimum requirements established by the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The bill requires the Board of Education to adopt and implement a transition plan over two years.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Standards of Learning assessments; reform.

15102889D

S.B. 1021

Patron: Puller

Standards of Accreditation; instructional time. Authorizes local school boards to count up to 15 minutes per day of recess in their calculation of the required instructional hours for the standard school day at the elementary school level.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Standards of Accreditation; including recess as instructional time in elementary school.

15102424D

S.B. 1036

Patron: Hanger

DMAS; waiver eligibility criteria; dependents of active duty military. Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to amend eligibility criteria for the Intellectual Disability waiver and the Individual and Family Developmental Disabilities Support waiver to allow the dependent of an active duty military member to maintain his position on the waiting list following a transfer of the active duty military member to an assignment outside of the Commonwealth, so long as the active duty military member maintains the Commonwealth as his legal residence to which he intends to return following completion of military service. In cases in which the dependent becomes eligible for services through the Intellectual Disability waiver or Individual and Family Developmental Disabilities Support waiver prior to returning to the Commonwealth, the individual shall remain on the waiting list for services and shall be eligible for the next waiver slot to become available upon his return to the Commonwealth.

A BILL to require the Department of Medical Assistance Services to amend waiver eligibility criteria to allow dependents of active duty military members to remain on waiting lists for services when stationed outside the Commonwealth.

15100911D

S.B. 1058

Patron: Martin

Chiropractic schools; student training and practice. Authorizes students enrolled in chiropractic schools to (i) participate in preceptorship programs that are a part of the training program of the chiropractic school or (ii) practice in clinics, hospitals, educational institutions, private medical offices, or other health facilities, in a program approved by the school, under the direct tutorial supervision of a licensed chiropractor who holds an appointment on the faculty of a chiropractic school approved by the Board of Medicine.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2959 of the Code of Virginia, relating to chiropractic schools; student training and practice.

15101152D

S.B. 1078

Patron: Vogel

School calendar. Makes local school boards responsible for setting the school calendar and determining the opening day of the school year and eliminates the post-Labor Day opening requirement and "good cause" scenarios for which the Board of Education may grant waivers of this requirement. The bill contains technical amendments.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-26, 22.1-79.1, and 22.1-296 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the opening day of the school year.

15101328D

S.B. 1083

Patron: Vogel

Immunizations; meningococcal vaccine. Adds certain doses of the meningococcal vaccine to the minimum immunization requirements set forth in the State Board of Health Regulations for the Immunization of School Children.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-46 of the Code of Virginia, relating to immunization; meningococcal vaccines.

15101333D

S.B. 1088

Patron: Vogel

Hospitals; admission of patients. Requires hospitals to ask each patient prior to admission whether he is a veteran.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia, relating to hospital regulations; requiring hospitals to ask whether a patient is a veteran.

15102820D

S.B. 1091

Patron: Vogel

Adjustment of the calculation of the local composite index for public school funding. Directs the Department of Education to adjust its funding calculations for the local ability to pay by using the use-value assessment of real property, instead of the true value, in localities that have adopted use-value taxation.

A BILL to adjust the calculation of the local composite index for public school funding.

15102756D

S.B. 1112

Patron: Barker

Public schools; kindergarten instructional time. Directs the Board of Education to promulgate regulations, by July 1, 2017, establishing standards for accreditation that include a requirement that the standard school day for students in kindergarten must average at least 5.5 instructional hours in order to qualify for full accreditation. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2017.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-79 and 22.1-253.13:2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public schools; kindergarten instructional time.

15101516D

S.B. 1116

Patron: Barker

Standards of Learning; alternative assessment. Directs the Board of Education to adopt procedures under which an English language proficiency assessment may be used as an alternative to the eleventh grade Standards of Learning reading assessment for students with limited English proficiency.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Standards of Learning; alternative assessment for certain students.

15101766D

S.B. 1120

Patron: Barker

Board of Medicine; requirements for licensure. Requires applicants for licensure to practice medicine, osteopathy, or podiatry to receive at least 12 months of the required supervised clinical training in one program or institution and allows supervised clinical training that is received in the United States as part of the curriculum of an international medical school to fulfill the requirements for licensure by the Board of Medicine if the clinical training is in a program acceptable to the Board and deemed a substantially equivalent experience. The bill removes the Board's authority to grant a temporary license to practice chiropractic to interns and residents and repeals certain other requirements for licensure for students who studied in international medical schools.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-2930, 54.1-2935, and 54.1-2937 of the Code of Virginia and to repeal § 54.1-2933 of the Code of Virginia, relating to supervised clinical training required by the Board of Medicine for licensure.

15101839D

S.B. 1122

Patron: Barker

Public institutions of higher education; parental notification of student's suicidal tendencies. Requires the governing body of a public institution of higher education to establish policies and procedures requiring the notification of the parent of a dependent student when the institution obtains information outside the mental health treatment setting that such student is exhibiting suicidal tendencies if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 23-9.2:3 and 23-9.2:8 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public institutions of higher education; parental notification of student's suicidal tendencies.

15102388D

S.B. 1131

Patron: Garrett

School calendar. Makes local school boards responsible for setting the school calendar and determining the opening day of the school year and eliminates the post-Labor Day opening requirement and "good cause" scenarios for which the Board of Education may grant waivers of this requirement. The bill contains technical amendments.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-26, 22.1-79.1, and 22.1-296 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the opening day of the school year.

15101036D

S.B. 1145

Patron: Alexander

Local school board members; professional development. Requires each newly elected or appointed member of a local school board in a school division that contains one or more schools denied accreditation or accredited with warning for three consecutive years to participate, within one year of his election or appointment, in at least 15 hours of high-quality professional development training at the state, local, or national level on governance, including ethics, personnel policies and practices, and several other topics. The bill requires school board members who have completed one or more years of continuous service in such school divisions to participate annually in 12 hours of such training. The bill requires school board members in all other school divisions to participate annually in nine hours of high-quality professional development training and adds school financing and budgeting to the list of topics to be covered. Current law requires participation in high-quality professional development programs but with no specified time requirement.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:5 of the Code of Virginia, relating to local school board members; professional development.

15100597D

S.B. 1221

Patron: McWaters

Health care institutions; assisted living facilities; reporting requirements. Requires the chief executive, chief of staff, or administrator of a hospital, other health care institution, or assisted living facility who becomes aware of information indicating that a health care professional is in need of treatment or has been committed or admitted as a patient for the treatment of substance abuse or psychiatric illness to determine that the health care professional is a danger to himself, his patients, or others before reporting such information to the Department of Health Professionals. Current law requires reporting such information to the Department if the substance abuse or psychiatric illness may render the health professional a danger.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2400.6 of the Code of Virginia, relating to health care institutions; assisted living facilities; reporting requirements.

15100333D

S.B. 1227

Patron: McWaters

Telemedicine services; prescriptions. Amends the definition of telemedicine services to encompass the use of electronic technology or media, including interactive audio or video, for the purpose of diagnosing or treating a patient, consulting with other health care providers regarding a patient's diagnosis or treatment, or transmitting a patient's health care data. The measure also provides that an examination performed using telemedicine services shall be sufficient to meet the requirement for an "appropriate examination" and states that if a telemedicine services practitioner prescribes medication other than Schedule VI controlled substances to a patient, at least one in-person physical examination must have occurred.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 38.2-3418.16 and 54.1-3303 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the provision of health care services through telemedicine services.

15103367D

S.B. 1235

Patron: Marsden

Recommendation and dispensing of cannabidiol oil and THC-A oil. Provides that a person may possess cannabidiol oil or THC-A oil pursuant to a valid recommendation of a practitioner of medicine or osteopathy made upon a determination that the person has a debilitating epileptic condition.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 34 of Title 54.1 an article numbered 8, consisting of sections numbered 54.1-3472.1 through 54.1-3472.3, relating to recommendation and dispensing of cannabidiol oil or THC-A oil.

15101107D

S.B. 1236

Patron: Favola

Special diplomas. Eliminates the term "special diploma" and specifies that students identified as disabled who complete the requirements of their individualized education programs and meet certain requirements prescribed by the Board pursuant to regulations but do not meet the requirements for any named diploma shall be awarded Applied Studies diplomas by local school boards.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to special diplomas.

15101802D

S.B. 1249

Patron: Smith

School calendar. Makes local school boards responsible for setting the school calendar and determining the opening date of the school year and eliminates the post-Labor Day opening requirement and "good cause" scenarios for which the Board of Education may grant waivers of this requirement. The bill requires local school boards that set the school calendar with a pre-Labor Day opening date to close all schools in the division (i) from the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day through Labor Day or (ii) Labor Day through the Tuesday immediately following Labor Day.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-26, 22.1-79.1, and 22.1-296 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the school calendar.

15102379D

S.B. 1280

Patrons: Reeves, Barker

Certificate of public need; conditions. Authorizes the State Health Commissioner to condition the approval of a certificate of public need upon an agreement of the applicant to support charitable organizations specifically concerned with the provision of health care services to disabled veterans and that have a memorandum of understanding with the State Department of Health to meet specific unmet or partially unmet community health needs identified by the Department. The bill contains a technical amendment.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-102.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to certificates of public need; conditions.

15101335D

S.B. 1320

Patron: Locke

Public schools; accreditation ratings. Directs the Board of Education to promulgate regulations establishing additional accreditation ratings that recognize the progress of schools that do not meet accreditation benchmarks but have significantly improved their pass rates, are within specified ranges of benchmarks, or have demonstrated significant growth for the majority of their students.

A BILL to direct the Board of Education to promulgate regulations establishing additional accreditation ratings.

15101389D

S.B. 1383

Patron: Black

Home instruction; religious exemption; information privacy. Prohibits a division superintendent or local school board from disclosing to the Department of Education information provided by a student or parent for the purpose of notifying the superintendent that the student will be receiving home instruction or for claiming a religious exemption from school attendance. The bill contains a technical amendment.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-254.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to information on students who receive home instruction or a religious exemption.

15103305D

S.B. 1398

Patron: Petersen

Board of Counseling; criminal history records check for applicants for licensure. Establishes state and federal criminal history background check requirements for applicants for licensure as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, or licensed substance abuse treatment practitioner.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 35 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-3506.1, relating to Board of Counseling; criminal history records check for applicants for licensure.

15103774D

S.B. 1403

Patron: Martin

Home instruction; evidence of progress. Provides that evidence of achievement of a certain composite score on the SAT, the Preliminary SAT, the ACT, or an International Baccalaureate assessment satisfies the evidence-of-progress requirement for students receiving home instruction.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-254.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to home instruction; evidence of progress.

15103463D

S.B. 1404

Patron: Stosch

Achieving a Better Life Experience(ABLE) savings trust accounts established; administered by the Virginia College Savings Plan. Establishes ABLE savings trust accounts to be administered by the Virginia College Savings Plan to facilitate the saving of private funds for paying the qualified disability expenses of certain disabled individuals. Under the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014, Congress authorized states to establish ABLE savings trust accounts to assist individuals and families in saving and paying for the education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, assistive technology and personal support services, health, prevention and wellness, financial management and administrative services, and other expenses of individuals who were disabled or blind prior to the age of 26. The Virginia College Savings Plan will be the designated state agency administering ABLE savings trust accounts. Earnings on contributions to ABLE savings trust accounts are exempt from federal income tax.

Under the bill, earnings on ABLE savings trust accounts will be excluded from Virginia taxable income. In addition, the bill provides that beginning with taxable year 2016 contributors to ABLE savings trust accounts will be allowed an individual income tax deduction up to $4,000 in contributions per year per account. Persons age 70 or over will not be subject to the $4,000 per account maximum annual deduction.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 23-38.75, 23-38.76, 23-38.77, 23-38.80, 23-38.81, and 58.1-322 of the Code of Virginia, relating to establishing Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) savings trust accounts to be administered by the Virginia College Savings Plan to assist individuals and families in saving private funds for the purpose of supporting individuals with disabilities.

15103322D

S.B. 1410

Patron: Deeds

Crisis intervention specialists; community services boards; behavioral health authorities; emergency custody or temporary detention. Provides for the certification of crisis intervention specialists and crisis intervention specialist licensed clinical supervisors. The bill also requires community services boards and behavioral health authorities to employ or contract with certified crisis intervention specialists for evaluations for emergency custody or temporary detention.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 37.2-809 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 4 of Title 37.2 an article numbered 6, consisting of sections numbered 37.2-441 and 37.2-442, by adding in Chapter 5 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-513, and by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-616, relating to certification of crisis intervention specialists for community services boards and behavioral health authorities.

15103819D