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2021 SPECIAL SESSION I

21101145D
SENATE BILL NO. 1235
Senate Amendments in [ ] – February 3, 2021
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 32.1 a section numbered 32.1-4.1, relating to Department of Health; certain communication prohibited.
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Patrons Prior to Engrossment--Senators Peake and Newman
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Referred to Committee on Education and Health
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 32.1 a section numbered 32.1-4.1 as follows:

§ 32.1-4.1. Certain communication with minors prohibited.

Except as otherwise required by law, no person employed by the Department or a local department of health or who has entered into a contract to provide services on behalf of the Department or a local department of health shall initiate communication regarding [ health-related ] matters [ set forth in subsection B of § 22.1-207.1 ] with a minor on behalf of the Department or local department of health without the consent of the minor's parent [ or guardian or person serving in loco parentis. This provision shall not apply to school nurses, physicians, or Virginia Department of Health employees or agents who are inquiring about medical conditions, outbreaks, pandemics, or any other declared state of emergency relating to a communicable disease or public health threat ] .