GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 389, which repeals the provision of the Code of Virginia requiring an adult child to assist in providing support and maintenance of his or her parents.

Primarily, the Commonwealth’s filial responsibility law supports those who care for their elderly parents.  In establishing a bankruptcy budget, the court allows for necessary and reasonable expenditures and the repeal of § 20-88 could prevent an individual from covering these expenses within the budget of their debtor.

For those undergoing bankruptcy proceedings, there is a grave risk of unforeseeable and unintended consequences, which may harm people going through some of the most difficult times in their lives.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.