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ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
2023 SESSION
Chair: L. Louise Lucas
Clerk: Hobie Lehman, Basit Khan
Staff: J. Bergamini, J. Carlton
Date of Meeting: February 2, 2023
Time and Place: 8 AM / Senate Room A
https://virginia-senate.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3
Patron: Chase
Establishment of the Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act; health benefit plans; coverage for gender transition procedures. Creates the Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, which prohibits gender transition procedures, defined in the bill, for individuals under 18 years of age and prohibits the use of public funds for gender transition procedures for individuals under 18 years of age. The bill establishes enforcement procedures for violation of the SAFE Act. The bill provides that a health benefit plan providing health care coverage in the Commonwealth is prohibited from providing coverage for gender transition procedures for individuals younger than 18 years of age and is not required to provide coverage for gender transition procedures for individuals 18 years of age or older.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 32.1 a chapter numbered 21, consisting of sections numbered 32.1-376 through 32.1-379, and by adding a section numbered 38.2-3449.2, relating to establishment of the Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act; health benefit plans; coverage for gender transition procedures.
23100911D
Patron: Chase
COVID-19 immunization; prohibition on requirement; discrimination prohibited; civil penalty. Prohibits the State Health Commissioner and the Board of Health, the Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department of Health Professions and any regulatory board therein, and the Department of Social Services from requiring any person, including any child, to undergo vaccination for COVID-19 and prohibits discrimination based on a person's COVID-19 vaccination status (i) with regard to education, employment, or issuance of a driver's license or other state identification or (ii) in numerous other contexts. The bill establishes a civil penalty for violation of this prohibition by an employer.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2901.1, 2.2-3004, 15.2-1500.1, 15.2-1507, 15.2-1604, 22.1-271.2, 22.1-271.4, 22.1-289.031, 22.1-295.2, 22.1-306, 23.1-800, 32.1-43, 32.1-47, 32.1-47.1, 32.1-48, 44-146.17, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 63.2-603, and 65.2-402.1 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 32.1 a section numbered 32.1-15.2, by adding in Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 32.1 a section numbered 32.1-48.002, by adding in Chapter 2 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-205, by adding sections numbered 38.2-3100.4 and 40.1-27.5, by adding in Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 46.2 a section numbered 46.2-333.2, by adding in Chapter 24 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-2409.6, and by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 63.2 a section numbered 63.2-221.1, relating to COVID-19 vaccination status; discrimination prohibited; civil penalty.23100914D
Patron: Spruill
Public elementary and secondary schools; programs of instruction; mental health education; curriculum guidelines; instruction required. Requires each public elementary, middle, and high school to provide at each grade level, in addition to health instruction, an additional age-appropriate course of instruction on mental health. The bill directs the Board of Education to develop mental health curriculum guidelines for an age-appropriate, sequential mental health curriculum for each grade level and requires such curriculum guidelines to include instruction on (i) understanding general themes of mental health and wellness, (ii) recognizing symptoms of common mental health challenges, (iii) promoting mental health wellness, (iv) seeking assistance for mental health concerns and challenges, (v) promoting awareness of the prevalence of mental health challenges and the importance of overcoming common mental health stigmas, (vi) understanding the importance of mental health to a student's physical, academic, and overall well-being, and (vii) understanding age-appropriate instruction at such grade levels as the Board deems appropriate on the connection between mental health and substance use disorders. The bill permits the Board to consult with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and other mental health experts in developing such curriculum guidelines and requires the Board to submit such guidelines to the State Board of Health for approval. The bill requires the Board to review and update by the beginning of the 2024–2025 school year the health Standards of Learning for each grade level to include such instruction on the mental health curriculum guidelines.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-207 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public elementary and secondary schools; programs of instruction; mental health education; curriculum guidelines; instruction required.23102397D
Patron: Favola
Public schools; Standards of Quality; early intervention services for reading and mathematics; use of certain alternative assessments permitted. Provides that each local school division is permitted to use any nationally recognized, research-based assessment or screener in identifying and assessing the progress of any student in need of reading or algebra readiness intervention services as an alternative to a diagnostic test that must be approved by the Department of Education.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:1 of the Code of Virginia, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, relating to public schools; Standards of Quality; early intervention services for reading and mathematics; use of certain alternative assessments permitted.23102372D
Patron: Bell
Public schools; background checks; the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind. Provides that the Board of Visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind is subject to the same requirement of each local school board that all applicants for employment as instructional personnel at such school, or for employment as a contractor who shall have direct contact with students on school property during regular school hours or during school-sponsored activities, be required to provide data on prior convictions for certain crimes and submit to fingerprinting for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information on such applicants.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-296.1, 22.1-296.2, and 22.1-349 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public schools; background checks; the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind.23102690D
Patron: Bell
Institutions of higher education; campus safety; authority to employ campus police officers. Authorizes the governing board of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind to establish a campus police department and employ campus police officers and auxiliary police forces as provided by relevant law, the employment of whom is to be governed by the Virginia Personnel Act unless the governing board of the School directs otherwise.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2905, 2.2-3706, 2.2-3802, 9.1-161, 9.1-601, 23.1-809, 23.1-812, 23.1-815, 59.1-148.3, 65.2-107, 65.2-402, 65.2-402.1, and 85.2-1721.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to institutions of higher education; campus safety; authority to employ campus police officers.23102249D
Patron: Favola
Hospital emergency departments; required security and training; regulations. Directs the Board of Health to amend its regulations to require every hospital with an emergency department to have at least one off-duty law-enforcement officer or a trained security officer present at all times. Hospital protocols shall ensure such officers providing security receive training in the use of weapons, defensive tactics, de-escalation techniques, appropriate physical restraint techniques, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed approaches in identifying and safely addressing situations involving patients, family members, or other persons who pose a risk of harm to themselves or others due to mental illness or substance abuse or who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia, relating to hospital emergency departments; required security and training; regulations.23101960D
Patron: Chase
Public schools; parental rights to educational transparency. Declares that the parent of any student enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school in the Commonwealth has the right to (i) access a list of any printed or audiovisual instructional material; (ii) participate in the textbook review and approval process; (iii) receive notice of and give informed consent to any counseling or guidance program offered to his child by the school; (iv) access his child's education records; (v) receive advance, written notice of any school-sponsored field trip, activity, assembly, presentation, or other event at which his child's attendance is invited, including a clear opt-out provision; (vi) receive advance notice of any questionnaire or survey to be administered to his child; (vii) receive notice of and attend any public meeting of the school board in the local school division in which his child is enrolled; (viii) review the annual school division budget and expenditures; and (ix) petition the circuit court with jurisdiction over such child's local school division to review an action of the school board if the parent is aggrieved by such action. The bill requires the Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the parental right to review and exempt his child from any printed or audiovisual instructional materials used as a part of the curriculum in any class or course in which such parent's child is enrolled. The bill also revises existing policies and duties of each local school board in accordance with the parental rights to transparency in education.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-79.3 and 22.1-253.13:7 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 22.1-1.1 and 22.1-16.9, relating to public education; parental rights to educational transparency.23102373D
Patron: Chase
COVID-19 immunization; prohibition on requirement; discrimination prohibited; civil penalty. Prohibits the State Health Commissioner and the Board of Health, the Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department of Health Professions and any regulatory board therein, and the Department of Social Services from requiring any person, including any child, to undergo vaccination for COVID-19 and prohibits discrimination based on a person's COVID-19 vaccination status (i) with regard to education, employment, or issuance of a driver's license or other state identification or (ii) in numerous other contexts. The bill establishes a civil penalty for violation of this prohibition by an employer.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2901.1, 2.2-3004, 15.2-1500.1, 15.2-1507, 15.2-1604, 22.1-271.2, 22.1-271.4, 22.1-289.031, 22.1-295.2, 22.1-306, 23.1-800, 32.1-43, 32.1-47, 32.1-47.1, 32.1-48, 44-146.17, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 63.2-603, and 65.2-402.1 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 32.1 a section numbered 32.1-15.2, by adding in Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 32.1 a section numbered 32.1-48.002, by adding in Chapter 2 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-205, by adding sections numbered 38.2-3100.4 and 40.1-27.5, by adding in Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 46.2 a section numbered 46.2-333.2, by adding in Chapter 24 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-2409.6, and by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 63.2 a section numbered 63.2-221.1, relating to COVID-19 vaccination status; discrimination prohibited; civil penalty.23102361D
Patron: McDougle
Public elementary and secondary schools; enrollment; immunization requirements. Prohibits any child from being denied admission to school for not receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. The bill also prohibits the State Board of Health from adopting any regulation requiring immunization against COVID-19 for attendance at any public elementary or secondary school.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-271.2, 32.1-46, and 32.1-46.01 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public elementary and secondary schools; enrollment; immunization requirements.23101033D
Patron: Cosgrove
K-12 schools and institutions of higher education; interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, and club athletic teams and sports; participation on teams based on biological sex; certain requirements; civil cause of action. Requires each public elementary or secondary school and each public institution of higher education to expressly designate all interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic teams and sports 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 or sport is open to participation by both (a) males, men, or boys and (b) females, women, or girls. The bill provides that a student's "biological sex" is the statement of such student's biological sex on such student's official birth certificate if the statement was filed at or near the time of the student's birth. The bill prohibits any student whose biological sex is female from participating on any interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club team or sport that is expressly designated for "males," "men," or "boys," unless such school or institution does not offer an equivalent team or sport that is expressly designated for "females," "women," or "girls," or as "coed" or "mixed." The bill also prohibits any student whose biological sex is male from participation on any interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club team or sport that is expressly designated for "females," "women," or "girls." Furthermore, the bill prohibits any interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic team or sport that is sponsored by a public elementary or secondary school or sponsored by a public institution of higher education from competing against any interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic team or sport that is sponsored by a private elementary or secondary school or a private institution of higher education unless such private school or institution also complies with the provisions of the bill. Finally, the bill creates a civil cause of action for students that suffer any deprivation, harm, retaliation, or adverse action or for schools that suffer any harm as a result of a violation of the provisions of the bill, provided that such action is initiated within two years of such deprivation, harm, retaliation, or adverse action.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 22.1-271.9 and 23.1-408.2, relating to K-12 schools and institutions of higher education; interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, and club athletic teams and sports; participation on teams based on biological sex; certain requirements; civil cause of action.23102088D
Patron: Hashmi
Virginia Psilocybin Advisory Board established; report; Drug Control Act reclassification of psilocybin. Establishes the Virginia Psilocybin Advisory Board to develop a long-term strategic plan for establishing therapeutic access to psilocybin services and monitor and study federal laws, regulations, and policies regarding psilocybin. The bill requires the Board to report annually by December 1 to the Governor and the General Assembly regarding its activities and recommendations. The bill reclassifies psilocybin under the Drug Control Act from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-3446 and 54.1-3450 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 34 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-3431.1, relating to Virginia Psilocybin Advisory Board established; report; Drug Control Act reclassification of psilocybin.23101994D
Patron: Petersen
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.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 32.1-102.1 and 32.1-102.2 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 32.1-102.6:2, relating to certificate of public need; expedited review process; work group.23102257D
Patron: Peake
Youth Health Protection Act established; civil penalty. Creates the Youth Health Protection Act (the 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 violation of law, rule, or regulation; any violation of any standard of care or other ethical guidelines for the provision of health care service; or 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 counsel 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 statute.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 32.1 a chapter numbered 21, consisting of sections numbered 32.1-376 through 32.1-382, relating to Youth Health Protection Act established; civil penalty.23100877D
Patron: Peake
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.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-23.4, relating to elementary and secondary schools; athletics; participation in female sports; civil cause of action.23101004D
Patron: Peake
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.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-289.030 of the Code of Virginia, relating to certain child day programs exempt from licensure by the Superintendent of Public Instruction; age of children in attendance.23101180D
Patron: Peake
Powers of State Health Commissioner in epidemic; vaccine; religious tenets or practices. Allows a parent or guardian to object to the vaccination or immunization of a child on the grounds that the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with his religious tenets or practices, even if an emergency or epidemic of disease has been declared by the State Board of Health, which is not allowed under current law. The bill also provides that nothing shall preclude the State Health Commissioner from requiring immediate immunization of all persons in the case of an epidemic of any disease of public health importance for which a vaccine exists other than a person, including a parent or guardian on behalf of a child, who objects on the grounds that the administration of the vaccine conflicts with his religious tenets or practices. Under current law, the only exception to the Commissioner's power to require immediate immunization of all persons in case of an epidemic of any disease of public health importance for which a vaccine exists is for a person to whose health the administration of a vaccine would be detrimental as certified in writing by a physician licensed to practice medicine in the Commonwealth.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 32.1-46 and 32.1-48 of the Code of Virginia, relating to powers of State Health Commissioner in epidemic; vaccine; religious tenets or practices.23101562D
Patron: Stuart
Children's Services Act; special education programs. Expands eligibility for services under the Children's Services Act to students who transfer from an approved private school special education program to a public school special education program established and funded jointly by a local governing body and school division located within Planning District 16 (George Washington Regional) for the purpose of providing special education and related services when (i) the public school special education program is able to provide services comparable to those of an approved private school special education program and (ii) the student would require placement in an approved private school special education program but for the availability of the public school special education program.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-5211 and 2.2-5212 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Children's Services Act; special education programs.23102957D
Patron: Norment
Public institutions of higher education; duties of governing board; student tuition and fees; requests for certain information. Requires the governing board of each public institution of higher education to adopt policies and procedures requiring the release to each student or, if such student is a dependent, the parent of each student enrolled at such institution of an itemized list of how such student's individual annual tuition and other mandatory fees are allocated, including the exact amount of such student's tuition and mandatory fees that are used to subsidize financial aid grants and scholarships for other students at such institution. The bill requires such policies and procedures to include a provision allowing any student or the parent of any student to opt out of receiving such itemized list.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-1303 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public institutions of higher education; duties of governing board; requests for certain information relating to student tuition and fees.23104036D
Patron: Peake
Interjurisdictional compacts; criminal history record checks. Provides that when an interjurisdictional compact requires criminal history record checks as a condition of participation, the applicable health regulatory board shall require each applicant to submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information to be forwarded along with his fingerprints through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-2409.1:1, relating to interjurisdictional compacts; criminal history record checks.23101247D
Patron: Newman
Parental access to minor's medical records. Prohibits denial of parental access to the medical records of such parent's minor child, unless federal law requires the minor child's consent.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2969 of the Code of Virginia, relating to parental access to minor's medical records.23103795D
Patron: Ebbin
Board of Pharmacy; permit to operate pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility. Increases the limit on the number of permits that the Board of Pharmacy (the Board) may issue or renew in any year from one to two pharmaceutical processors for each health service area established by the Board of Health. The bill also allows the Board to issue or renew permits in any year for up to five cannabis dispensing facilities per pharmaceutical processor for each health service area. Under current law, the Board may issue up to five cannabis dispensing facilities for each health service area. With the exception of pharmaceutical processors permitted prior to July 1, 2023, the bill prohibits a pharmaceutical processor from receiving more than one permit from the Board.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-3442.6 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Board of Pharmacy; permit to operate pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility.23101461D
Patron: Norment
Public institutions of higher education; new programs of instruction; approval of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and certain legislative committees required. Prohibits any public institution of higher education from implementing a new program of instruction or implementing a new curriculum for an existing program of instruction without first obtaining the approval of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the House Committee on Education, and the Senate Committee on Education and Health.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 23.1-901.1, relating to public institutions of higher education; new programs of instruction; approval of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and certain legislative committees required.23101223D
Patron: Norment
School Resource Officer Grants Program and Fund. Provides that matching grants from the School Resource Officer Incentive Grants Fund may be awarded to local law-enforcement agencies and local school boards for the expenses related to the equipment necessary for uniformed school resource officers, school security officers, and other relevant school safety personnel and the enhancement of the school-law enforcement partnership through training and programming as determined by the Department.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 9.1-110 of the Code of Virginia, relating to School Resource Officer Grants Program and Fund.23101308D
Patron: Hashmi
Board of Education; College and Career Readiness for English Language Learners Grant Program and Fund; established. Establishes the College and Career Readiness for English Language Learners Grant Program and Fund to support English language learner students in preparing for postsecondary opportunities by providing reimbursement grants to eligible school divisions for providing and expanding access to certain career, technical, apprenticeship, and college readiness and preparation programs and courses for high school students identified as having limited English proficiency. The bill provides that the total value of reimbursement grants awarded to any school division annually shall not exceed an amount equal to $500 times the number of English language learner students in grades nine through 12 enrolled in such school division. The bill directs the Board to establish such guidelines as it deems necessary for the administration of the Program and to establish procedures for determining amounts and prioritizing the award of such reimbursement grants in the event that the moneys in the Fund are not sufficient to provide each school division the full grant amount for which they are qualified. Finally, the bill provides that reimbursement grants shall be awarded to eligible school divisions beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-206.3, relating to Board of Education; College and Career Readiness for English Language Learners Grant Program and Fund; established.23102440D
Patron: Hashmi
Public institutions of higher education; student accounts; withholding transcripts. Prohibits any public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth from conditioning the provision of an academic transcript to a current or former student on the payment of an outstanding debt to such institution if the student is requesting the transcript for the purpose of (i) applying for employment, (ii) applying for financial aid, (iii) pursuing opportunities in the Armed Forces or National Guard, or (iv) pursuing postsecondary opportunities in career or technical job training. The bill also prohibits any public institution of higher education from conditioning the provision or release of a current or former student's academic transcript to another institution of higher education on the student's repayment of an outstanding debt, but permits such institution to provide or release a partial transcript omitting any course credits that such student attempted or completed during a semester or quarter for which the student has an outstanding debt. The bill permits any public institution of higher education to condition the provision of an academic transcript on enrollment in a repayment plan for an outstanding debt or the payment of a fee, provided that (a) any such repayment plan includes a monthly payment amount established with consideration of the current or former student's ability to pay and does not exceed 10 percent of such student's monthly income, (b) any such fee charged shall not be higher for a current or former student as a consequence of having an outstanding debt than the fee charged to any current or former student not owing a debt, and (c) no current or former student receives any other less favorable treatment as a consequence of such student having an outstanding debt. Finally, the bill requires each public institution of higher education to clearly and prominently indicate on any materials or webpages relating to academic transcript requests the purposes and conditions dictating the provision of an academic transcript to a current or former student with an outstanding debt.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 23.1-411.1, relating to public institutions of higher education; student accounts; withholding transcripts.23101392D
Patron: Hashmi
Employment of teachers; English as a Second Language Incentive Reward Program and Fund; established. Provides that each local school board shall adopt employment policies and practices designed to promote the employment of highly qualified teachers to effectively serve the educational needs of students who are English language learners, including providing financial support for teachers seeking and obtaining an endorsement in English as a second language pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The bill also establishes the English as a Second Language Incentive Reward Program and Fund for the purpose of awarding incentive grants to public school teachers in the Commonwealth who obtain an endorsement in English as a second language pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The bill provides that the Board of Education shall award to any teacher who obtains such endorsement an initial incentive grant of $5,000 and a subsequent incentive grant of $2,500 each year for the life of the endorsement, with such incentive grants to resume upon renewal of the endorsement. Finally, the bill directs the Board to establish such guidelines as it deems necessary for the administration of the Program and to establish procedures for the award of such incentive grants in the event that the moneys in the Fund are not sufficient to award each eligible teacher the appropriate award amount.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-295 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-299.2:1, relating to employment of teachers; English as a Second Language Incentive Reward Program and Fund; established.23102437D
Patron: Stuart
Telemedicine; extension of time period for provision of services. Allows patients who have an established relationship with a practitioner who is a member of a health maintenance organization or multispecialty group to receive services from a practitioner who is a member of the same multispecialty group via telemedicine without undergoing another in-person exam within the specified time period and increases the specified time period from one year to three years. The bill increases from one year to three years the period during which psychologists and clinical social workers who are licensed outside the Commonwealth and who meet certain criteria may provide behavioral health services via telemedicine to a patient located in the Commonwealth.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-2901, 54.1-3601, and 54.1-3701 of the Code of Virginia, relating to telemedicine; extension of time period for provision of services.23104213D
Patron: Peake
Criminal history record information; dissemination. Allows criminal history record information to be disseminated to the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for (i) individuals who are being evaluated by the Commissioner to determine the individual's sanity at the time of a criminal offense or capacity to stand trial for the purpose of placement, evaluation, treatment, or discharge planning or (ii) any individual otherwise committed to the custody of the Commissioner when, in the Commissioner's discretion, such information may be beneficial for the purpose of placement, evaluation, treatment, or discharge planning.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 19.2-389 of the Code of Virginia, relating to criminal history record information; dissemination.23102880D
Patron: Mason
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; provider licensing; inspections. Requires the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services or his authorized agents to make at least at least one unannounced inspection of each service offered by each licensed provider during the licensing period. Current law requires an annual unannounced inspection. The bill also removes the requirement that inspections evaluate the physical facilities in which services are provided.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 37.2-411 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; provider licensing; inspections.23104006D
Patron: Hanger
Community services boards; behavioral health authorities; performance contracts. Modifies and reorganizes provisions related to the requirements of performance contracts entered into by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services with community services boards and behavioral health authorities.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 37.2-203, 37.2-508, and 37.2-608 of the Code of Virginia, relating to community services boards; behavioral health authorities; performance contracts.23103870D
Patron: Hanger
Behavioral Health Commission; agency assistance; access; records. Clarifies the duty of all agencies, as defined in the bill, and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth and certain other entities to cooperate with and assist the Behavioral Health Commission in the performance of its duties and requires such agencies, political subdivisions, and other entities to, upon request, provide to the Commission certain information and facility access. The bill also excludes from the mandatory disclosure provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act records of the Commission.
AA BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3705.3 and 30-408 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Behavioral Health Commission; agency assistance; access; records.23103859D
Patron: Dunnavant
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; work group on standardized registered nursing curriculum; fast path nursing program. Requires the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System, the Board of Nursing, and representatives from for-profit institutions offering RN education and diploma programs to convene a work group to make recommendations for the development of a fast path nursing program for the purpose of establishing a standardized, universally accepted, and transferrable core curriculum for all registered nursing degree or diploma programs offered in each comprehensive community college, baccalaureate institution of higher education, and any other entity offering an RN degree or diploma program in the Commonwealth, including hospitals and for-profit institutions.
A BILL to require the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to convene a work group to make recommendations for the development of a standardized, universally accepted, and transferrable curriculum for registered nursing degree or diploma programs.23104154D
Patron: Dunnavant
Board of Education; advanced academic opportunity programs; guidelines and policies; availability.Requires the Board of Education to develop guidelines for advanced academic opportunity programs, as defined in the bill, offered at the secondary school level (i) requiring any advanced academic opportunity program offered at any public secondary school in the Commonwealth to accept any eligible student and (ii) prohibiting the imposition of arbitrary class sizes or any other limitation that would impede the access of any otherwise eligible student to such program. The bill defines an "eligible student" as any student who has demonstrated an ability to participate and succeed in advanced academic opportunities, as determined by (a) such student's performance on a merit-based application, (b) such student's aptitude based on grades or exam results, or (c) the recommendation of a teacher. The bill requires each local school board to adopt policies that are consistent with and at least as rigorous as the guidelines developed by the Board. Finally, the bill requires the Board to develop and make available to each local school board the guidelines for advanced academic opportunity programs by the 2023-2024 school year and requires each local school board to develop and implement policies in accordance with the Board's guidelines by the 2025-2026 school year.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-18.2, relating to Board of Education; advanced academic opportunity programs; guidelines and policies; availability.23104073D
Patron: Reeves
K-12 schools and institutions of higher education; designation of interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, and club athletic teams and sports based on biological sex; student participation in female teams or sports; civil cause of action. Requires each interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic team or sport sponsored by a public elementary or secondary school or by a public institution of higher education to be expressly designated as one of the following based on biological sex: (i) males, men, or boys; (ii) females, women, or girls; or (iii) coed or mixed if participation on such team or sport is open to both (a) males, men, or boys and (b) females, women, or girls. The bill requires identification of the student's biological sex on an athletics eligibility form signed by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant to be submitted by any such student who desires to try out for or participate in an interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic team or sport. The bill prohibits any such team or sport that is expressly designated for females, women, or girls from being open to students whose biological sex is male.
The bill prohibits any government entity, licensing or accrediting organization, or athletic association or organization from entertaining a complaint, opening an investigation, or taking any other adverse action against public school or institution of higher education based on a violation of the provisions of the bill and creates a cause of action for any school or institution of higher education that suffers harm as a result of a violation of the bill. Finally, the bill creates a civil cause of action for any student that suffers harm as a result of a knowing violation of a provision of the bill by a school or institution or as a result of the student's reporting a violation of a provision of the bill by a school, institution, athletic association, or organization.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-271.7 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 22.1-271.9 and 23.1-408.2, relating to K-12 schools and institutions of higher education; designation of interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, and club athletic teams and sports based on biological sex; identification of student's biological sex on athletic eligibility form; student participation in female teams or sports; civil cause of action.23104062D
Patron: Reeves
Children Deserve Help Not Harm Act established; health benefit plans; coverage for gender transition procedures. Creates the Children Deserve Help Not Harm Act (the Act), which prohibits gender transition procedures, defined in the bill, for individuals under 18 years of age and prohibits the use of public funds for gender transition procedures for individuals under 18 years of age. The bill establishes enforcement procedures for violation of the Act. The bill provides that a health benefit plan providing health care coverage in the Commonwealth is prohibited from providing coverage for gender transition procedures for individuals younger than 18 years of age and is not required to provide coverage for gender transition procedures for individuals 18 years of age or older.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 32.1 a chapter numbered 21, consisting of sections numbered 32.1-376 through 32.1-379, and by adding a section numbered 38.2-3449.2, relating to establishment of the Children Deserve Help Not Harm Act; health benefit plans; coverage for gender transition procedures.23103055D
Patron: Dunnavant
smartCHaRt network Program. Renames the Emergency Department Care Coordination Program as the smartCHaRt network Program and expands the Program to allow participation by all health care providers, insurance carriers, and other organizations with a treatment, payment, or operations relationship with a patient in the Commonwealth Under current law, participation is limited to hospital emergency departments. The bill makes several other modifications to the Program, including adding a requirement that the Program allow health care providers, insurance carriers, and other participating organizations to access information necessary to evaluate and monitor the care and treatment of a patient in accordance with applicable patient privacy and security requirements. The bill also directs the State Health Commissioner to convene a work group to study and establish a plan to develop and implement a system to share information regarding a patient's prescription history. The bill requires the Commissioner to report his findings and recommendations to the Chairmen of the Joint Commission on Health Care, Senate Committee on Education and Health, and House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions by October 1, 2023.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3705.5, 32.1-372, 54.1-2523, and 54.1-2525 of the Code of Virginia, relating to smartCHaRt network Program.
23103954D
Patron: Lucas
National Teacher Certification Incentive Reward Program and Fund; name; eligibility; incentive grant awards. Renames the National Teacher Certification Incentive Reward Program and Fund as the National Board Certification Incentive Reward Program and Fund, expands eligibility for incentive grant awards from such Fund pursuant to such Program from solely teachers who have obtained national certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to (i) all public school staff who are candidates for initial national certification or maintenance of national certification to cover certain costs of obtaining or maintaining such certification and (ii) all public school staff who have successfully obtained or maintained such certification. The bill also declares eligible for an annual incentive grant award in the amount of $7,500 all public school staff who have obtained or maintained such certification. Current law declares eligible for an annual incentive grant award of $5,000 in the first year and $2,500 in each subsequent year all teachers who have obtained or maintained such certification.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-299.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to National Teacher Certification Incentive Reward Program and Fund; name; eligibility; incentive grant awards.23102890D
Patron: Dunnavant
Midwifery; administration of medication. Allows licensed midwives to obtain, possess, and administer drugs and devices within the scope of their practice. The bill limits liability of entities that provide or dispense drugs or devices to a licensed midwife and that rely in good faith upon the license information provided by the licensed midwife. The bill requires that any licensed midwife who obtains, possesses, and administers drugs and devices participate in the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health patient safety bundle advanced by the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-2957.9 and 54.1-3408 of the Code of Virginia, relating to midwifery; administration of medication.23104091D
Patron: Dunnavant
High school students; academic credit for certain work experience and fine arts programs; guidelines. Directs the Board of Education to develop guidelines and policies permitting any high school student in grades 11 and 12 to earn one-half standard unit of credit per semester for employment in certain fields or industries or participation in certain community-based fine arts programs in which such student works or participates a certain minimum number of hours per week for each week of the semester, as determined by the Board.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-207.8, relating to high school students; academic credit for certain work experience and fine arts programs; guidelines.23101948D
Patron: Dunnavant
Public institutions of higher education; course credit earned through internships required; policies. Directs the governing board of each public institution of higher education to develop and implement policies requiring four of the 120 minimum semester hours required for the completion of a bachelor's degree to be earned through participation in an unpaid or paid internship.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 3 of Chapter 9 of Title 23.1 a section numbered 23.1-906.1, relating to public institutions of higher education; course credit earned through internships required; policies.23101497D
Patron: Dunnavant
Board of Education; Passport dual enrollment courses; course credit; guidelines. Directs the Board of Education to develop guidelines to be adopted by each local school board directing prioritization of funding to be given to dual enrollment courses, including courses that are part of the Passport Program or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies Program and other courses that lead to the fulfillment of a requirement for a nationally recognized credential offered in the Virginia Community College System.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-206.3, relating to Board of Education; Passport Program dual enrollment; course credit; guidelines.23101498D
Patron: Dunnavant
Virginia Community College System; duties of State Board for Community Colleges; standardization of health care-related programs. Directs the State Board for Community Colleges to develop and implement a plan to standardize across all comprehensive community colleges the courses offered for health care-related degree, credential, or licensure programs. The bill requires such plan to include procedures and criteria for (i) standardizing the curriculum, quality, academic rigor, and standard of evaluation of such courses, (ii) awarding credit toward the completion of any such health care-related program for any student enrolled in a comprehensive community college who was previously employed in a field aligned with such program, and (iii) standardizing the manner in which academic credit is awarded for such health care-related courses and the manner in which clinical hour credits are awarded to ensure all academic credits and clinical hour credits are stackable and transferrable across all comprehensive community colleges.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-2904 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Community College System; duties of State Board for Community Colleges; standardization of health care-related programs.23101501D
Patron: DeSteph
Public institutions of higher education; duties of governing boards; curriculum transparency. Directs the governing board of each public institution of higher education to (i) adopt policies or guidelines for soliciting industry input in the institution's program review processes and curriculum development at the unit or department level and (ii) develop procedures for incorporating the attainment of industry credentials into the institution's existing degree programs to increase degree relevancy and ensure more seamless pathways from higher education to the workforce.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-1303 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public institutions of higher education; duties of governing boards; curriculum transparency.23103331D
Patron: DeSteph
In-person visitation policies and procedures at certain facilities. Requires hospitals, nursing homes, certified nursing facilities, hospices or hospice facilities, assisted living facilities, and intermediate care facilities to establish certain in-person visitation policies and procedures. The bill (i) requires that such policies include screening, personal protective equipment, and other infection control protocols for visitors; (ii) prohibits such policies from requiring the visitor to provide proof of immunization or vaccination; (iii) requires such policies to allow consensual physical contact between the visitor and the resident, client, or patient of the facility; (iv) authorizes the resident, client, or patient to designate an essential caregiver and establishes requirements related to essential caregivers; (v) requires that such policies allow unrestricted in-person visitation under certain circumstances; (vi) provides that the policies and procedures may require visitors to agree in writing to follow such policies and procedures; (vii) authorizes facilities to suspend in-person visitation of specific visitors for violations of such agreement; (viii) requires facilities to make their in-person policies and procedures available to the Department of Health for review when applying for initial licensure, licensure renewal, or change of ownership; and (ix) requires facilities and the Department of Health to make their in-person visitation policies and procedures easily accessible from their websites.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 5 of Title 32.1 an article numbered 9, consisting of a section numbered 32.1-162.15:12, relating to in-person visitation policies and procedures at certain facilities.23100040D
Patron: Chase
Localities, public and private schools, institutions of higher education, and employers; face coverings. Prohibits any locality, school board, division superintendent, school principal, private school, institution of higher education, or employer from adopting, implementing, or enforcing any policy, rule, or order related to COVID-19 that requires individuals to wear a face covering.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 15.2-1413.1, 22.1-6.2, 23.1-801.1, and 40.1-27.5, relating to localities, public and private schools, institutions of higher education, and employers; face coverings.23102309D
Patrons: McClellan, Hashmi
Standards of Quality; work-based learning; teacher leaders and mentors; principal mentors; certain personnel positions and initiatives. Makes several changes to the Standards of Quality, including requiring the establishment of units in the Department of Education to oversee work-based learning and principal mentorship statewide and requiring the Board of Education to establish and oversee the local implementation of teacher leader and teacher mentor programs in Standard 5. The bill also makes several changes relating to school personnel in Standard 2, including (i) requiring each school board to employ teacher leaders and teacher mentors at specified student-to-position ratios; (ii) lowering the ratio of English language learner students to teachers; (iii) lowering the ratio of assistant principals to students in each elementary, middle, and high school; (iv) lowering the ratio of school counselors to students in grades kindergarten through 12; and (v) increasing the required number of specialized student support positions from at least three to at least four such positions per 1,000 students. Such specialized student support positions include school social workers, school psychologists, school nurses, licensed behavior analysts, licensed assistant behavior analysts, and other licensed health and behavioral positions.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-253.13:1, 22.1-253.13:2, and 22.1-253.13:5, as they are currently effective and as they shall become effective, 22.1-274, 22.1-274.01:1, 22.1-294, 22.1-299.7:1, and 22.1-303 of the Code of Virginia and to repeal § 22.1-305.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Standards of Quality; work-based learning; teacher leaders and mentors; principal mentors; certain personnel positions and initiatives.23102467D
Patrons: McClellan, Ebbin
Comprehensive children's health care coverage program. Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to establish a program to provide state-funded comprehensive health care coverage for individuals in the Commonwealth who (i) are under 19 years of age, (ii) are not covered under a group health plan or health insurance coverage, and (iii) but for their immigration status would be eligible for medical assistance services through the Commonwealth's program of medical assistance services established pursuant to Title XIX or XXI of the Social Security Act. The bill also requires the Department to ensure that all program information is made available in a manner that is accessible to individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities through the provision of language access services, including oral interpretation and written translations, free of charge, and to ensure that information obtained by the program remains confidential and is not disclosed for any purpose not related to the administration of the program.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 32.1 a chapter numbered 13.01, consisting of a section numbered 32.1-353.01, relating to comprehensive children's health care coverage program.23102538D
Patrons: McClellan, Petersen
Board of Education; creation and maintenance of Virginia Parent Data Portal. Requires the Board of Education, on or before July 1, 2024, to create and maintain the Virginia Parent Data Portal that, among other things, (i) displays individualized student assessment data on all state-supported assessments, as that term is defined in the bill, (a) in a format that shows both current and cumulative data over time and (b) within 45 days of a state-supported assessment window closing for each state-supported assessment; (ii) provides a description of the purpose of each state-supported assessment, an explanation of how to interpret student data on each state-supported assessment, and a comparison of a student's performance on each state-supported assessment with the performance of the student's school, the student's school division, and the Commonwealth; (iii) is viewable from a mobile device in addition to a desktop computer; and (iv) restricts user access to students and their parents. The bill requires the Board and the Department of Education to provide certain guidance and technical assistance to local school divisions on professional development for principals and teachers in parent engagement on and interpretation of student assessment data available through the Portal and requires each school board to annually provide high-quality professional development to principals and teachers on such topics.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-1, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 22.1-253.13:3, and 22.1-253.13:5, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to Board of Education; creation and maintenance of Virginia Parent Data Portal.23103843D
Patron: Hashmi
Board of Education; Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting participant code of ethics; development; enforcement. Directs the Board of Education to develop and enforce a code of ethics relating to appropriate participation and collaboration at Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings among school staff, parents, students, and any other invited participants. The bill requires the Board to amend regulations as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of the bill.
A BILL to direct the Board of Education to develop and promulgate regulations to enforce a code of ethics for Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings relating to appropriate participation and collaboration at IEP meetings.23103861D
Patron: Dunnavant
Medical marijuana program; product, registration, dispensing, and recordkeeping requirements; advertising. Allows pharmacists who are employed by a pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility to issue written certificates for cannabis products if the pharmacist (i) is acting as the agent of a practitioner, (ii) is acting pursuant to policies established by a practitioner who has contracted with a pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility to serve as the medical director of such pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility, and (iii) has verified the patient's diagnosis with a practitioner with whom the patient has a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship. The bill amends and adds numerous provisions regarding the Commonwealth's medical marijuana program, including provisions related to recordkeeping, product registration, expiration dates, allowable deviations, dispensing, packing, labeling, and advertising. The bill requires pharmaceutical processors and cannabis dispensing facilities to collect and provide to the Board of Pharmacy by July 1, 2024, data regarding implementation of the bill. The bill also requires the Board of Pharmacy to make certain amendments to its regulations.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-3408.3, 54.1-3442.5, 54.1-3442.6, and 54.1-3442.7 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 54.1-3442.7:1, 54.1-3442.7:2, and 54.1-3442.7:3, relating to medical marijuana program; product, registration, dispensing, and recordkeeping requirements; advertising.23104097D
Patron: Barker
Minimum staffing standards for certified nursing facilities; administrative sanctions. Sets nursing staffing requirements for certified nursing facilities, imposes administrative sanctions on a certified nursing facility if it does not comply with the staffing requirements, and provides for exemptions to the administrative sanctions under certain circumstances. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 32.1-27.1 and 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 32.1-27.2, relating to minimum staffing standards for certified nursing facilities; administrative sanctions.23101878D
Patron: Barker
Licensure of anesthesiologist assistants. Provides that no person shall use or assume the title "anesthesiologist assistant" or hold himself out as an anesthesiologist assistant unless such person holds a license as an anesthesiologist assistant issued by the Board of Medicine, establishes criteria for the licensure of anesthesiologist assistants, and directs the Board of Medicine to adopt regulations governing the licensure of anesthesiologist assistants.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 4 of Chapter 29 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-2957.23, relating to licensure of anesthesiologist assistants.23103286D
Patron: Norment
Public institutions of higher education; duties of governing boards; student enrollment growth. Directs the governing board of each public institution of higher education to adopt policies providing that the percentage of students enrolled at such public institution of higher education must be capped at a two percent increase over a biennium.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-1303 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public institutions of higher education; duties of governing boards; student enrollment growth.23101221D
Patron: Norment
Public elementary and secondary schools; threat assessment team members; training requirement. Requires each local school board to work with its local law enforcement agency to conduct an annual threat assessment to determine potential risks and threats for each school within the locality. The bill also requires new threat assessment team members established at each public elementary and secondary school to complete initial threat assessment training and all threat assessment team members to complete refresher training every three years.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-79.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public elementary and secondary schools; threat assessment team members; training requirement.23101304D
Patron: Vogel
Behavior analysts; assistant behavior analysts; licensure criteria; certifying entities. Provides in the criteria for licensure as a behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst established by the Board of Medicine that certain documentation must be provided by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board or its successor. Under current law, such documentation must be provided by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board or any other entity that is nationally accredited to certify practitioners of behavior analysis.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2957.16 of the Code of Virginia, relating to behavior analysts; assistant behavior analysts; licensure criteria; certifying entities.
23102329D
Patron: Hashmi
Public institutions of higher education; duties of governing boards; development of policies expanding protection of academic freedom. Directs the governing board of each public institution of higher education to develop policies and institutional regulations increasing protections of academic freedom and freedom of expression in higher education.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-1303 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public institutions of higher education; duties of governing boards; development of policies expanding protection of academic freedom.23102027D
Patron: Pillion
Amendment of death certificates; county and city registrars. Requires a county or city registrar, upon receipt of an affidavit and supporting evidence testifying to corrected information on a death certificate within 45 days of the filing of a death certificate, to amend such death certificate to reflect the new information and evidence and to forward such affidavit and supporting evidence to the State Registrar.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-269.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to amendment of death certificates; county and city registrars.
23101943D
Patron: Suetterlein
Administration of controlled substances; paramedics. Allows paramedics certified by the Board of Health who act pursuant to a prescribing practitioner's oral or written order or standing protocol and who are employed or engaged at a hospital to administer controlled substances.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-3408 of the Code of Virginia, relating to administration of controlled substances; paramedics.23102718D
Patron: Hashmi
Health records privacy; consumer-generated health information. Requires certain entities that collect, gather, or use consumer-generated health information, defined in the bill, to take reasonable measures to safeguard the such aggregated health data, including (i) adopting technical and organizational measures to ensure that consumer-generated health information is not linked to any individual, household, or device used by an individual or a household; (ii) committing not to attempt to re-identify or associate the aggregated health data with any individual, household, or device used by an individual or a household; and (iii) requiring that recipients of all transfers of aggregated health data uphold the same commitments. The bill provides civil remedies for violations of consumer-generated health information privacy.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-127.1:03 of the Code of Virginia, relating to health records privacy; consumer-generated health information.
23103864D
Patron: Suetterlein
Public institutions of higher education; use of certain endowment fund investment returns. Declares it the public policy of the Commonwealth that any foundation, investment management company, or other asset manager associated with a public institution of higher education that manages endowment funds of such public institution of higher education with a value exceeding $250 million shall be required to allocate at least 15 percent of the investment returns on such endowment funds back to such public institution of higher education on an annual basis for the purpose of ensuring access to and affordability of attending the institution for students.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-101 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public institutions of higher education; use of certain endowment fund investment returns.23101490D
Patron: Locke
Board of Medicine; continuing education; implicit bias and cultural competency in health care. Requires the Board of Medicine to adopt and implement policies that require each practitioner licensed by the Board who has direct contact with persons who are or may become pregnant to complete two hours of continuing education related to implicit bias, defined in the bill, and cultural competency in health care at least once every other license renewal cycle.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2912.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Board of Medicine; continuing education; implicit bias and cultural competency in health care.23103755D
Patron: Hackworth
Board of visitors of Radford University; reduced rate tuition charges; students who reside in and are domiciled in the Appalachian region. Permits the board of visitors of Radford University to charge reduced rate tuition to any student enrolled at Radford University who resides in the Appalachian region, as defined in relevant federal law, is domiciled in the Appalachian region, and is entitled to in-state tuition charges at a public institution of higher education in the Appalachian region and such entitlement is based on circumstances that when applied to a student who resides in the Commonwealth would result in entitlement to in-state tuition, provided that reduced rate tuition for students who reside in and are domiciled in the Appalachian region shall not be set below the in-state tuition rate for Virginia students attending Radford University.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 23.1-507.1, relating to board of visitors of Radford University; reduced rate tuition charges; students who reside in and are domiciled in the Appalachian region.23104252D
Patron: Lucas
Norfolk State University and Virginia State University; reduced rate tuition charges for certain students. Permits the Norfolk State University Board of Visitors and the Virginia State University Board of Visitors to charge reduced rate tuition to any non-Virginia student who is enrolled in a program at the relevant institution that leads to employment in a high-demand field, as determined by the board of visitors of the relevant institution based on data compiled and provided by the Virginia Office of Education Economics.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 23.1-507.1, relating to Norfolk State University and Virginia State University; reduced rate tuition charges for certain students.23104271D
Patron: Newman
Certificate of public need exemption; nursing home facility in Amherst County. Directs the State Health Commissioner to accept and review applications and issue a certificate of public need for a new 90-bed nursing home facility, provided that such facility is located on the property of the former Central Virginia Training Center in Amherst County.
A BILL to exempt certain nursing home services in Amherst County from the requirements of a certificate of public need.23103719D
Patron: Surovell
Virginia College Savings Plan; Virginia College Opportunity Endowment and Fund. Directs the board of the Virginia College Savings Plan (the Plan) to deposit $250 million per year of surplus moneys from the Plan's fund in the Virginia College Opportunity Fund (the Fund), established by the bill. The bill provides that such deposit shall not be made or shall be reduced in any year in which the College Opportunity Independent Advisory Committee (the Committee), established by the bill, determines that certain conditions relating to the Plan's funded status are not met. The Committee is established by the bill as a policy committee in the executive branch, for the purpose of determining the amount of deposits to be made to the Fund.
The bill provides that financial management of the Fund is the responsibility of the board of the Virginia College Savings Plan but authorizes the board of the Virginia College Opportunity Endowment, also established by the bill, to manage a scholarship program funded by the Fund. The bill establishes an individual and corporate income tax subtraction for donations to the Fund.
Under the bill, the Endowment provides scholarships to students who attend or plan to attend one of 12 eligible universities named in the bill. The bill provides that only such students who meet the eligibility requirements for a Pell Grant and commit to being employed in Virginia, or being enrolled in postgraduate education in Virginia, for at least eight years after graduation from the eligible university are eligible for such scholarships.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 23.1-701, 23.1-704, 23.1-706, 58.1-322.03, as it is currently effective and as it may become effective, 58.1-344.3, and 58.1-402 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 27 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 12, consisting of a section numbered 2.2-2743.1, and by adding in Title 23.1 a chapter numbered 7.1, consisting of sections numbered 23.1-714 through 23.1-717, relating to Virginia College Savings Plan; Virginia College Opportunity Endowment and Fund.23104413D
Patron: Chase
Certain public libraries; books; sexually explicit materials; parental advisory label. Requires each local school board, any local governing body or library board that governs a free public library system or regional library board that governs a regional library system, and the Library Board to require a parental advisory label to be affixed to the front of any book that contains sexually explicit content, as that term is defined elsewhere in law, and that is made available to minors in any public elementary or secondary school library, any public library in the free public library system or regional public library system, or the Library of Virginia, respectively.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 22.1-79.10, 42.1-10.1, and 42.1-36.2, relating to certain public libraries; books; sexually explicit materials; parental advisory label.23103847D
Patron: Hanger
Community services boards; behavioral health authorities; purpose; performance contracts. Provides that the purpose of behavioral health services provided by community services boards and behavioral health authorities is to enable individuals who have a mental illness or substance use disorder that significantly impairs their functioning to access effective, timely, and cost-efficient services that help them (i) overcome or manage functional impairments caused by the mental illness or substance use disorder and (ii) remain in the community to the greatest extent possible, consistent with the individual's well-being and public safety. The bill also requires that performance contracts entered into by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services with community services boards and behavioral health authorities include certain information, as specified in the bill. The bill reorganizes certain other provisions related to community services boards and behavioral health authorities.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 37.2-203, 37.2-500, 37.2-508, 37.2-601, and 37.2-608 of the Code of Virginia, relating to community services boards; behavioral health authorities; purpose; performance contracts.23103868D
Patron: Obenshain
Department of Health; mobile food units. Directs the Department of Health to amend its regulations and each local health department and health district to amend its regulations and guidance documents relating to mobile food units to allow up to 20 percent of the sanitation and food preparation activities of a mobile food unit to take place within a 50-foot radius of the mobile food unit.
A BILL to direct the Department of Health to amend regulations and guidance documents relating to mobile food units.23103888D
Patron: Obenshain
Board of Health; food establishment regulations. Requires the Board of Health to adopt regulations that prohibit the revocation, amendment, or denial of a renewal of a permit issued to a food establishment on the basis that such food establishment does not meet the requirements for the food establishment classification for which the initial permit was issued, unless such food establishment has materially changed its operations since issuance of the initial permit.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Board of Health; food establishment regulations.23104012D
Patron: Dunnavant
Public school pupils and parents; access to certain postsecondary information. Prohibits any school board, public elementary or secondary school, including any joint or regional school, or employee or agent of such school board or school, including any division superintendent or school principal, from withholding from any pupil or the pupil's parent any information that is transmitted solely to such school board, school, employee, or agent and that (i) relates to any recognition, award, or postsecondary scholarship eligibility earned by the student, including any such recognition, award, or eligibility earned as the result of the student's achievement on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) examination, or (ii) may affect the student's admission to an institution of higher education. The bill requires all such information to be transmitted to the pupil and the pupil's parent as soon as practicable after receipt of the information.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-287 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public school pupils and parents; access to certain postsecondary information.23104594D
Patron: Morrissey
Alkaline hydrolysis; registration; regulations. Establishes a registration requirement for alkaline hydrolysis providers. The bill defines alkaline hydrolysis and adds alkaline hydrolysis and hydrolyzed remains to statutes dealing with cremation and cremains. The bill grants the Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers the power to inspect alkaline hydrolysis providers and their operations.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 32.1-249, 32.1-291.14, 32.1-301, 32.1-309.1, 32.1-309.3, 54.1-2800, 54.1-2803, 54.1-2808.1, 54.1-2808.2, and 54.1-2818.1 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-2814.2, relating to alkaline hydrolysis; registration; regulations.23104087D
Patrons: McClellan, Hashmi
Public institutions of higher education; Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority; chief executive officer; criteria. Provides that the chief executive officer of the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority may be the individual who holds the title of Vice-President for Health Science of Virginia Commonwealth University, or such other title as subsequently established by the University's board of visitors for the chief academic and administrative officer for the Health Sciences Schools of the University. Current law requires the chief executive officer to hold such title.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-2403 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public institutions of higher education; Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority; chief executive officer; criteria.23104258D
Patron: Mason
Temporary detention; certified evaluators; report. Authorizes hospitals with a psychiatric emergency department located in Planning District 21 to employ certain trained individuals to perform evaluations to determine whether a person meets the criteria for temporary detention for behavioral health treatment. The bill requires participating hospitals with psychiatric emergency departments in Planning District 21 to annually report the number of temporary detention order evaluations completed, the number of temporary detention orders petitioned, the number of individuals evaluated for temporary detention who were determined to not meet the criteria for temporary detention, and the number of individuals under a temporary detention order admitted to a state facility to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Education and Health, the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions, and the Behavioral Health Commission. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2025.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 37.2-800, 37.2-804.2, 37.2-808 through 37.2-810, 37.2-814, 37.2-816, 37.2-817, and 37.2-1104 of the Code of Virginia, relating to temporary detention; certified evaluators; report.23104479D
Patron: Barker
Public institutions of higher education; Virginia College Savings Plan; renamed Commonwealth Savers Plan; duties of governing board. Renames the Virginia College Savings Plan as the Commonwealth Savers Plan (the Plan) and amends all relevant references to "college savings trust account" to "education savings trust account." The bill provides that the purpose of the Plan is to enhance the accessibility, affordability, and attainability of higher education in the Commonwealth. The bill expands the duties of the governing board (the board) of the Plan to include developing, implementing, and funding programs or partnerships to enhance the accessibility, affordability, and attainability of higher education for underserved and underrepresented communities and students and authorizes the board to develop policies for the funding and review of such programs or partnerships. The bill expands the definition of "current obligations of the Plan" to include any additional benefit or educational access, affordability, and attainability program or partnership developed pursuant to the Plan. The bill further prohibits any officer, director, or member of the board or of any advisory committee to the board from being held personally liable for any loss suffered by the Plan. Finally, the bill provides that any benefit paid on any prepaid tuition contract entered into prior to July 1, 2019, may be supplemented by an additional benefit, subject to the determination and discretion of the board. The bill contains technical amendments.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2744, 2.2-2753, 2.2-2905, 2.2-3114, 2.2-3705.4, 2.2-3705.7, 2.2-3711, 2.2-4006, 2.2-4343, 8.01-424, 23.1-306, 23.1-700, 23.1-701, 23.1-704 through 23.1-707, 23.1-1004, 30-330 through 30-333, 30-335, 51.1-505.01, 58.1-322.02, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 58.1-322.03, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, and 58.1-344.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public institutions of higher education; Virginia College Savings Plan; renamed Commonwealth Savers Plan; duties of governing board.23104313D
Patron: Norment
Certificate of Public Need; certain cardiology-related services; exemption. Exempts from the requirements of a certificate of public need certain outpatient cardiology-related services performed in connection with a Department of Health or Division of Certificate of Public Need pilot program for cardiovascular single specialty use ambulatory surgery centers authorized by an executive order of the Governor that are approved for reimbursement and performed in a facility certified as a Medicare and Medicaid supplier by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Medical Assistance Services.
A BILL to exempt certain cardiology-related services from the requirements of a certificate of public need.23104478D
Patron: Dunnavant
Standardized, Uniform, and Comprehensive Collaborative Exchange School Support (SUCCESS) Program; development and implementation. Requires the Department of Education, the State Board for Community Colleges, and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to develop a plan to establish and implement the Standardized, Uniform, and Comprehensive Collaborative Exchange School Support (SUCCESS) Program for the purpose of improving the collaboration between comprehensive community colleges and high schools in the Commonwealth and increasing access for high school students to opportunities for earning postsecondary credits toward completion of an associate's degree or credential by (i) maximizing technology and sharing resources between high schools and community colleges to allow instructional staff at community colleges to more easily teach high school students; (ii) providing transportation for high school students to and from their respective high schools and the community colleges at which they are participating in a dual enrollment program; (iii) standardizing the core curricula and the award of postsecondary credits for work completed through a dual enrollment program; and (iv) improving access to opportunities to earn postsecondary credits towards completion of an associate's degree or credential and increasing the ability of high school students to complete such degree or credential either prior to graduating from high school or more efficiently and quickly thereafter, with a focus on degrees or credentials in health care-related fields. Finally, the bill directs the Department of Education, the State Board for Community Colleges, and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to report on their progress in developing the plan for the SUCCESS Program to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Education by November 1, 2023, and to implement the SUCCESS Program by the beginning of the 2024–2025 school year.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-206.3, relating to Standardized, Uniform, and Comprehensive Collaborative Exchange School Support (SUCCESS) Program; development and implementation.23104362D
Patron: Dunnavant
Secretary of Health and Human Resources; Department of Health; Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative; hospital regulations; report. Directs the Department of Health and all other agencies of the Commonwealth to support the efforts of the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative (the Collaborative) upon request to the fullest extent practicable and pursue opportunities for public-private partnerships with the Collaborative. The bill requires the Board of Health to amend its regulations to require that every hospital participate in the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health patient safety bundle advanced by the Collaborative. The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources (the Secretary) to facilitate the negotiation of state contracts that best position the Collaborative to address maternal child health issues in the Commonwealth using clinical expertise to develop evidence based best practices and recommendations to universally implement such best practices in the Commonwealth. The bill requires that by November 1 of each year that the Collaborative receives state funds, the Collaborative provide an annual report with recommendations for elevating the standard of care and improving outcomes for women and children in the Commonwealth to the Secretary and the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Education and Health, the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations, the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions, and the House Committee on Appropriations.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 3 of Chapter 1 of Title 32.1 a section numbered 32.1-23.7, relating to Secretary of Health and Human Resources; Department of Health; Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative; hospital regulations; report.23104510D
Patron: Pillion
State plan for medical assistance services; pharmacy services. Requires the Department of Medical Assistance Services to provide reimbursement when the services provided for by the state plan for medical assistance services are services by a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or pharmacy intern (i) performed under the terms of a collaborative agreement as defined in relevant law, (ii) related to services and treatment in accordance with relevant law, or (iii) performed under the terms of the state plan or managed care contractor of the Department.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-325, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to state plan for medical assistance services; pharmacy services.23103522D
Patron: Pillion
Practice of dentistry; botulinum toxin injections. Provides that, in addition to the possession and administration of botulinum toxin injections for dental purposes, a dentist may possess and administer botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic purposes, provided that the dentist has completed training and continuing education in the administration of botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic purposes. The bill requires the Board of Dentistry, in consultation with the Board of Medicine, to amend its regulations to establish training and continuing education requirements for dentists related to the administration of botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic purposes.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-2711.2, relating to practice of dentistry; botulinum toxin injections.23104139D
Patron: Ebbin
Food establishment permits; exemptions; restaurants; schools and day care centers. Exempts from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspection and permit requirements to operate a food establishment any establishment or operation that has a restaurant license from the State Department of Health that supplies food to any school or day care center that has a restaurant license from the State Department of Health.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 3.2-5130 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Agriculture food establishment permits; exemptions; restaurants; schools and day care centers.23105055D