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2023 SESSION

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Senate Committee on Education and Health

Chair: L. Louise Lucas

Clerk: Hobie Lehman, Basit Khan
Staff: J. Bergamini, J. Carlton
Date of Meeting: January 19, 2023
Time and Place: 8 AM / Senate Room A
https://virginia-senate.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3

S.B. 787

Patron: DeSteph

Public school libraries; printed or audiovisual materials; selection, evaluation, and checkout procedures. Requires each local school board to adopt policies addressing the selection and evaluation of all printed or audiovisual materials purchased by, donated to, or otherwise made available to the school division that will be made available to students in school libraries, with clear procedures for (i) mandatory prior written parental consent before a student is permitted to check out from the school library any such printed or audiovisual materials that depict a child engaged in the fondling of the sexual or genital parts of another or the fondling of his sexual or genital parts by another, masturbation, sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anilingus, anal intercourse, or object sexual penetration and (ii) handling challenged controversial instruction materials.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:7 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public school libraries; printed or audiovisual materials; selection, evaluation, and checkout procedures.

23100610D

S.B. 793

Patron: Chase

Prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19. Provides that licensed health care providers with prescriptive authority may prescribe, administer, or dispense hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin to a patient with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19. The bill prohibits the Board of Medicine from initiating a disciplinary action against a licensed health care provider solely for prescribing, administering, or dispensing hydroxychloroquine or ivermectin to a patient with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, provided such clinical diagnosis and treatment has been documented in the patient's medical record by such licensed health care provider.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-3408.6, relating to prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19.

23100912D

S.B. 806

Patron: Stanley

STEM+C Competition Team Grant Program and Fund; established. Establishes the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Computing (STEM+C) Competition Team Grant Program to encourage interest in STEM+C-related subject areas and support STEM+C-related extracurricular team-building activities in public schools in the Commonwealth by providing grants to qualified schools, as defined in the bill, for use in establishing or supporting STEM+C competition teams. The bill also creates the STEM+C Competition Team Grant Fund for the purpose of providing such grants to qualified schools.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 22.1 a chapter numbered 27, consisting of sections numbered 22.1-369 through 22.1-372, relating to Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Computing (STEM+C) Competition Team Grant Program and Fund; established.

23100371D

S.B. 821

Patron: Surovell

Reports of certain arrests and convictions of certain individuals to division superintendents; employment verification; method of submission; compilation. Requires each division superintendent to identify, update as necessary, and make available to the Department of Education and to other appropriate individuals a fax number, an email address, and a mailing address at which the division superintendent will receive the reports required to be transmitted pursuant to relevant law from (i) every state official or agency and every sheriff, police officer, or other local law-enforcement officer or conservator of the peace having the power to arrest for a felony upon arresting a person who is known or discovered by the arresting official to be a full-time, part-time, permanent, or temporary teacher or any other employee in any local school division in the Commonwealth for a felony or a Class 1 misdemeanor or an equivalent offense in another state and (ii) the clerk of any circuit court or any district court in the Commonwealth upon the conviction of a Board of Education-licensed school employee for certain enumerated felonies. The bill requires the Department to compile and make publicly available on its website a list of such fax numbers, email addresses, and mailing addresses. The bill also requires all such arresting officials or agencies and all such clerks to transmit the required reports via certified mail, return receipt requested, or to the identified fax numbers and email addresses. The bill finally requires, until July 1, 2027, all such arresting officials or agencies request in writing that the Virginia Employment Commission provide the name of the current employer of each arrested person for purposes of determining whether such notice is required.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 19.2-83.1, 19.2-291.1, and 60.2-114 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 22.1-23.4 and 22.1-68.1, relating to reports of certain arrests and convictions of certain individuals to division superintendents; employment verification; method of submission; compilation.

23100637D

S.B. 883

Patron: Newman

Standards for accreditation; school accreditation review frequency. Eliminates the requirement that the Board of Education perform a triennial review of the accreditation status of a public school that has been fully accredited for three consecutive years. The bill also eliminates the provision permitting the Board to do a review of the accreditation status of any other school once every two or three years and the requirement that any such school receiving a multiyear accreditation status other than full accreditation be covered by a Board-approved multiyear corrective action plan. Under the bill, the Board is required to review annually the accreditation status of all schools in the Commonwealth.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Standards for accreditation; school accreditation review frequency.

23101186D

S.B. 925

Patron: Cosgrove

Patient visitation; visitation from clergy members. Requires hospitals, nursing homes, and certified nursing facilities to allow patients to receive visits from clergy members during a declared public health emergency related to a communicable disease of public health threat. Under the bill, the hospital, nursing home, or certified nursing facility may require the clergy member to comply with all reasonable health and safety requirements and may restrict visits of a clergy member who fails a health screening measure or tests positive for a communicable disease of public health concern. If the health and safety requirement substantially burdens the clergy member's free exercise of religion, the hospital, nursing home, or certified nursing facility may require compliance only if the requirement furthers a compelling health and safety interest and imposes the least restrictive requirement. The bill provides immunity for hospitals, nursing homes, and certified nursing facilities and their employees and contractors from liability for injury or death due to exposure to a communicable disease of public health concern resulting from or related to such visitation, except in limited circumstances. The bill also allows a person or religious organization to bring a civil action against a hospital, nursing home, or certified nursing facility alleging a violation of such visitation provisions.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia, relating to patient visitation; visitation from clergy members.

23101768D

S.B. 926

Patron: Favola

Emergency Department Care Management Grant Program and Fund; report. Establishes the Emergency Department Care Management Grant Program and the Emergency Department Care Management Grant Fund. The bill provides that the Program is established to provide grants to eligible hospitals that provide care management and medical services to frequent users of hospital emergency departments, with grants to be awarded to (i) reduce patient usage of emergency departments for routine, nonurgent, primary medical care; (ii) support emergency department case management staff; (iii) identify and analyze the comprehensive health care needs of patients; (iv) identify social determinants of health and barriers to care; (v) facilitate collaboration with providers and payers to develop a plan for community care; and (vi) improve the ability of patients to manage their care in the community. The bill directs the Department of Health to evaluate the effectiveness of the Program and requires the State Health Commissioner to report the Department's findings to the General Assembly and the Joint Commission on Health Care by October 1, 2027. The provisions of the bill sunset on July 1, 2028.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 32.1 a chapter numbered 19.1, consisting of sections numbered 32.1-372.1, 32.1-372.2, and 32.1-372.3, relating to Emergency Department Care Management Grant Program and Fund; report.

23101557D

S.B. 945

Patron: Suetterlein

Department of Medical Assistance Services; services for individuals with developmental disabilities; financial flexibility; report. Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to take steps to amend the Family and Individual Supports, Community Living, and Building Independence waivers to provide greater financial flexibility to individuals with developmental disabilities who are receiving waiver services. The bill requires the Department to report on its progress to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2023.

A BILL to require the Department of Medical Assistance Services to take steps to amend certain waivers providing services for individuals with developmental disabilities to provide greater financial flexibility for certain services; report.

23103672D

S.B. 948

Patron: Suetterlein

Pharmacist scope of practice; initiation of treatment for certain diseases and conditions. Allows pharmacists to initiate treatment with, dispense, or administer controlled substances or devices for treatment of Group A Streptococcus infection, influenza virus infection, and urinary tract infection to persons 18 years of age or older or persons otherwise authorize to consent with whom the pharmacist has a bona fide pharmacist-patient relationship in accordance with regulations set forth by the Board of Pharmacy. The bill directs the Board of Medicine, in collaboration with the Board of Pharmacy and the Department of Health, to establish a statewide protocol for the initiation of treatment with and dispensing and administering of drugs and devices by pharmacists in accordance with the provisions of the bill by November 1, 2023, and directs the Board of Pharmacy to adopt emergency regulations to implement the provisions of the bill.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-3303.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to pharmacist scope of practice; initiation of treatment for certain diseases and conditions.

23102717D

S.B. 955

Patron: Ruff

Public institutions of higher education; tuition grants; Virginia National Guard. Provides that public institutions of higher education may enter into special arrangement contracts with the Virginia Department of Military Affairs for the purpose of providing reduced rate tuition charges for any member of the Virginia National Guard receiving state tuition assistance grants. The bill also provides that in order to be eligible for such state tuition assistance grant a member of the Virginia National Guard must have two years remaining on his service obligation to the Virginia National Guard as of the last day of the last term or semester for which tuition assistance is requested. Current law provides that as a condition of being awarded a tuition assistance grant a member of the Virginia National Guard will incur a two-year service obligation to commence after the last day of the term or semester for which tuition assistance is requested.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 23.1-508 and 23.1-610 of the Code of Virginia, relating to institutions of higher education; tuition grants; Virginia National Guard.

23102958D

S.B. 975

Patron: Peake

Certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse practitioners; designation as advanced practice registered nurses. Changes references to certain practitioners in the Code to advanced practice registered nurse in order to align the Code with the professional designations established by the Consensus Model for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Regulation established by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2818, 8.01-401.2, 8.01-581.1, 13.1-543, 13.1-1102, 16.1-336, 18.2-72, 18.2-76, 22.1-178, 22.1-270, 22.1-271.2, 22.1-271.4, 22.1-271.7, 22.1-274, 22.1-274.2, 32.1-19, 32.1-23.2, 32.1-42.1, 32.1-46, 32.1-50, 32.1-60, 32.1-122.6:02, 32.1-134.2, 32.1-134.3, 32.1-134.4, 32.1-138, 32.1-162.15:2, as it shall become effective, 32.1-263, 32.1-282, 32.1-325, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 37.2-815, 38.2-3407.11, 38.2-3408, 38.2-4221, 45.2-548, 45.2-1137, 46.2-208, 46.2-322, 46.2-731, 46.2-739, 46.2-1240, 46.2-1241, 53.1-22, 54.1-2400.01:1, 54.1-2400.9, 54.1-2701, 54.1-2729.2, 54.1-2900, 54.1-2901, 54.1-2904, 54.1-2910.5, as it shall become effective, 54.1-2927, 54.1-2957 through 54.1-2957.04, 54.1-2970.1, 54.1-2972, 54.1-2973.1, 54.1-2983.2, 54.1-2986.2, 54.1-3000, 54.1-3002, 54.1-3005, 54.1-3016.1, 54.1-3300, 54.1-3300.1, 54.1-3301, 54.1-3303, 54.1-3304.1, 54.1-3401, 54.1-3408, 54.1-3408.3, 54.1-3482, 54.1-3482.1, 54.1-3812, 58.1-439.22, 58.1-609.10, 59.1-297, 59.1-298, 59.1-310.4, 63.2-1808, 63.2-1808.1, 63.2-2203, 65.2-402.1, and 65.2-605 of the Code of Virginia, relating to certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse practitioners; designation as advanced practice registered nurses.

23102178D

S.B. 1005

Patron: Hashmi

Practice of physical therapy. Eliminates the requirement that treatment by a licensed physical therapist for more than 60 consecutive days after evaluation of the patient occurs only upon the referral and direction of a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, podiatry, or dental surgery, a licensed nurse practitioner, or a licensed physician assistant acting under the supervision of a licensed physician. The bill also allows licensed physical therapists to practice dry needling without a referral. Additionally, the bill clarifies that a licensed physical therapist may provide, without referral or supervision, physical therapy services to students with disabilities who require physical therapy services to fulfill the provisions of their individualized education plan or physical therapy services provided under § 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The bill directs the Board of Physical Therapy to report, by December 1, 2024, to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions a summary of disciplinary actions taken against physical therapists whose conduct resulted in physical harm to a patient when such patient received more than 60 consecutive days of physical therapy treatment without a physician referral.

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

23103928D

S.B. 1016

Patron: Suetterlein

Bedding and upholstered furniture; exemption from regulation. Exempts from the Board of Health regulations governing bedding and upholstered furniture any items of bedding or upholstered furniture that are 75 years old or older.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-225 of the Code of Virginia, relating to bedding and upholstered furniture; exemption from regulation.

23100989D

S.B. 1020

Patron: Edwards

Virginia Museum of Transportation; established. Establishes the Virginia Museum of Transportation as a public entity and educational institution under the Commonwealth governed by a 15-member board of trustees.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-101 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 32 of Title 23.1 an article numbered 8, consisting of sections numbered 23.1-3229 through 23.1-3232, relating to Virginia Museum of Transportation; established.

23102483D

S.B. 1041

Patron: McPike

Division superintendents; certain localities; qualifications. Provides that the Board of Education shall require any candidate for division superintendent of a local school division serving a locality with a population greater than 140,000 people to have (i) a master's degree and relevant endorsements or a doctorate degree in educational administration or educational leadership administration and (ii) at least five years of instructional, administrative, and supervisory experience in education, with no exceptions or substitutes for senior leadership experience in non-education fields. The Board of Education may substitute certain requirements for education-specific endorsements, degrees, or educational, administrative, or supervisory experience for a certain amount of experience in senior leadership positions outside of the education field only for local school divisions serving a locality with a population not exceeding 140,000 people.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-59 of the Code of Virginia, relating to division superintendents; certain localities; qualifications.

23102619D

S.B. 1044

Patron: McPike

Public schools and public institutions of higher education; student identification cards; 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline telephone number required. Requires each local school division that issues student identification cards for any grade level, kindergarten through grade 12, and each public institution of higher education that issues student identification cards to clearly and conspicuously include on one side of each student identification card the telephone number for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) and to annually review the telephone number for accuracy and currency. The bill provides that each new student identification card and any replacement student identification card issued by any school division or by any public institution of higher education must comply with the provisions of the bill beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-287.05 and by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 23.1 a section numbered 23.1-802.1, relating to public schools and public institutions of higher education; student identification cards; 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline telephone number required.

23102750D

S.B. 1045

Patron: McPike

School boards; school building maintenance reserves. Requires each local school board to establish and include in any multiyear capital improvement plan or substantially similar document that it adopts a school building maintenance reserve target of at least 1.5 percent of the replacement value of such building in order to avoid major replacement costs in the future. This bill is a recommendation of the Commission on School Construction and Modernization.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-96.1, relating to school boards; school building maintenance reserves.

23103170D

S.B. 1077

Patron: Ruff

Richard Bland College; governance. Removes the authority of the board of visitors of The College of William and Mary in Virginia to supervise, manage, and control Richard Bland College and establishes the 12-member board of visitors of Richard Bland College to generally direct the affairs of the College, including appointing all teachers and fixing their salaries, providing for the employment of other personnel as required, and caring for and preserving all property belonging to Richard Bland College. The bill provides for the transfer of relevant property and rights thereto, contracts, and duties from the board of visitors of The College of William and Mary in Virginia to the board of visitors of Richard Bland College. The bill also requires the board of visitors of Richard Bland College to focus its efforts on preparing students for academic and career success and permits the board to take several enumerated actions in furtherance of such efforts.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-2802 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 23.1 a chapter numbered 21.1, consisting of sections numbered 23.1-2105 through 23.1-2109; and to repeal § 23.1-2806 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Richard Bland College; governance.

23103593D

S.B. 1104

Patron: Boysko


State plan for medical assistance services; violence prevention services benefit. Directs the Board of Medical Assistance Services to amend the state plan for medical assistance services to include a provision for payment of medical assistance for violence prevention services, defined in the bill, provided by a qualified violence prevention professional to an individual who receives medical treatment for an injury sustained as a result of community violence, defined in the bill, who is determined by a health care provider to be at risk of repeat injury or retaliation. The bill directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to convene a work group to advise the Board on the design and implementation of the violence prevention services benefit and specifies that the work group include representatives from the Department and violence intervention programs, medical providers, survivors of community violence, and other members as deemed appropriate by the Department. The bill requires the Department to post on its website the date upon which violence prevention services may be provided and billed pursuant to the provisions of the bill.

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; violence prevention services benefit.

23102511D

S.B. 1105

Patron: Boysko

Board of Medicine; Board of Nursing; joint licensing of nurse practitioners and licensed certified midwives. Moves the professions of nurse practitioners and licensed certified midwives from being licensed jointly by the Board of Medicine and the Board of Nursing to being licensed by the Board of Nursing only.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 8.01-401.2, 22.1-271.7, 32.1-134.2, 32.1-263, 32.1-282, 54.1-2900, 54.1-2901, 54.1-2910.5, 54.1-2927, 54.1-2957.9, 54.1-2972, 54.1-2973.1, 54.1-3000, 54.1-3005, 54.1-3300, 54.1-3300.1, 54.1-3301, 54.1-3303, 54.1-3401, 54.1-3408, 54.1-3482, 54.1-3482.1, and, 63.2-2203 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 30 of Title 54.1 articles numbered 8 and 9, consisting of sections numbered 54.1-3044 through 54.1-3050; and to repeal §§ 54.1-2957 through and 54.1-2957.04 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Board of Medicine; Board of Nursing; joint licensing of nurse practitioners and licensed certified midwives.

23103627D

S.B. 1146

Patron: Boysko

Policies for the possession and administration of epinephrine at early childhood care and education entities; scope. Limits, in the context of early childhood care and education entities, the requirement for the implementation of policies for the possession and administration of epinephrine to child day centers. Under current law, such requirement applies to all early childhood care and education entities, which include child day centers, family day homes, and family day systems serving children younger than the age of five. The bill also requires the Board of Education to amend its regulations to require each family day home provider or at least one other caregiver employed by such provider in the family day home to be trained in the administration of epinephrine and to notify the parents of each child who receives care in such family day home whether the provider stores an appropriate weight-based dosage of epinephrine in the residence or home in which the family day home operates.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-289.059 of the Code of Virginia, relating to policies for the possession and administration of epinephrine at early childhood care and education entities; scope.

23101188D

S.B. 1147

Patron: Boysko

Department of Health Professions and Boards of Medicine and Nursing; continued competency; human trafficking training required. Requires all practitioners regulated by the Department of Health Professions, practitioners licensed by the Board of Medicine, and practitioners licensed by the Board of Nursing to complete training on topics related to human trafficking, including strategies for identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking. The bill requires training standards to be approved by the Director of the Department of Health Professions; a list of approved training courses shall be posted on the Department of Health Professions website and shall include at least one course that is available without charge. The successful completion of this training shall be a condition of renewals of registration, certification, licensure, permit, and the issuance of a multistate licensure privilege.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-2400, 54.1-2400.01, 54.1-2505, 54.1-2912.1, and 54.1-3005 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Health Professions and Boards of Medicine and Nursing; continued competency; human trafficking training required.

23103078D

S.B. 1155

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

S.B. 1164

Patron: Lewis

Cost of competing adjustment; eligibility; certain school boards. Provides that the Accomack County School Board and the Northampton County School Board are eligible to receive the cost of competing adjustment to salaries for instructional and support positions as part of the state share of basic aid pursuant to the general appropriation act.

A BILL to declare the Accomack County School Board and the Northampton County School Board eligible to receive the cost of competing adjustment.

23102520D

S.B. 1175

Patron: Lucas

Student literacy measures; scope; students in grades four through eight. Expands several provisions of the Virginia Literacy Act, enacted during the 2022 Regular Session of the General Assembly, effective with the 2024–2025 school year, and currently applicable to students in kindergarten through grade three, to students in grades four through eight, including (i) requiring each local school board to provide a program of literacy instruction to such students that is aligned with science-based reading research and provides evidenced-based literacy instruction; (ii) requiring each local school board to provide reading intervention services to such students who demonstrate substantial deficiencies based on their individual performance on the Standards of Learning reading assessment or a literacy screener provided or approved by the Department of Education; (iii) permitting the reading plan required for certain students in grades six through eight to include a literacy course, in addition to the course required by the Standards of Learning in English, that provides the specific evidence-based literacy instruction identified in such plan; (iv) requiring the Department to develop a list of core literacy curricula, supplemental instruction practices and programs, and intervention programs that consist of evidence-based literacy instruction aligned with science-based reading research for such students; (v) requiring each local school board to employ one reading specialist for each 550 students in kindergarten through grade eight; (vi) requiring the Board of Education to provide guidance on and each local school board to provide high-quality professional development and training in science-based reading research and evidence-based literacy instruction for certain middle school personnel; and (vii) requiring each divisionwide comprehensive plan to include a divisionwide literacy plan for such students.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-253.13:1, 22.1-253.13:2, 22.1-253.13:5, and 22.1-253.13:6, as they shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to student literacy measures; scope; students in grades four through eight.

23102882D

S.B. 1193

Patron: Reeves

Public institutions of higher education; foreign governments; programs and grants. Prohibits employees at public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth from participating in Chinese-sponsored talent recruitment programs or receiving Chinese-funded grants. The bill also requires each employee at such institutions to disclose to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia all financial payments received from foreign governments.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 23.1-111, relating to public institutions of higher education; foreign governments; programs and grants.

23101134D

S.B. 1197

Patron: Reeves


Public institutions of higher education; transparency. Imposes several requirements on governing boards of public institutions of higher education relating to transparency, including requirements to (i) report by September 1 of each year to the Chairmen of the House Committees on Appropriations and Education and the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and on Education and Health the number of diversity officers and government relations officers employed by the institution and the salary of each such officer and the total value of any contract with any outside individual or entity to provide lobbying services for the institution; (ii) record video of each meeting of the full board and its committees and make publicly available on the institution's website in a position of prominence a link that permits any member of the public to livestream each meeting of the full board and its committees and, within 10 business days after the date of any meeting of the full board or any of its committees, view video recordings for each such meeting; and (iii) prior to any vote to enter into or renew a contract for the employment of the chief executive officer of the institution, hold a public meeting to provide an opportunity for written, virtual, and in-person public comment on such contract at least 120 days prior to any such meeting at which it will vote to enter into or renew such contract and provide notice of such public meeting in accordance with relevant law. The bill also requires each public institution of higher education to make publicly available on the institution's website in a position of prominence and present annually to the governing board of the institution an annual report regarding foundations associated with the institution setting forth foundation expenses that includes the percentage of expenditures used for diversity, equity, and opportunity compensation, government relations and lobbying activities, and compensation of the chief executive officer.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 23.1-102.1, 23.1-108, and 23.1-1303 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public institutions of higher education; transparency.

23101489D

S.B. 1198

Patron: Saslaw

Drug Control Act; prohibition of distribution of hypodermic needles; exception. Provides an exception to the prohibition of distribution of hypodermic needles for the distribution of hypodermic needles that are designed to be used with a reusable injector pen for the administration of insulin.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-3467 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Drug Control Act; prohibition of distribution of hypodermic needles; exception.

23102135D

S.B. 1199

Patron: Reeves


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.

23102942D

S.B. 1202

Patron: Reeves

In-state tuition eligibility; certain non-Virginia students who are members of the Virginia National Guard. Declares eligible for in-state tuition at a public institution of higher education, regardless of domicile, any non-Virginia student who is a member of the Virginia National Guard and who is eligible pursuant to relevant law for a grant in the amount of the difference between the full cost of tuition and any other educational benefits for which he is eligible as a member of the Virginia National Guard.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-506 of the Code of Virginia, relating to in-state tuition eligibility; certain non-Virginia students who are members of the Virginia National Guard.

23103050D

S.B. 1211

Patron: Lucas

Eastern Virginia Medical School; establishment of Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University. Repeals provisions establishing and relating to Eastern Virginia Medical School and designates the schools and divisions previously existing as Eastern Virginia Medical School and such other academic units of Old Dominion University related to the health sciences as may be identified by the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors as the Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University (the Health Sciences Center). The bill permits Old Dominion University to provide medical and health sciences education and related research through the teaching hospitals and related health care and health maintenance facilities at the Health Sciences Center and contains provisions relating to the operations of the Health Sciences Center, including provisions relating to cooperative arrangements and joint ventures.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3106, 2.2-3705.4, 2.2-3711, 2.2-4343, 2.2-4345, 22.1-209.2, 23.1-608, 23.1-608.1, 23.1-809, 23.1-1100, 23.1-1200, 23.1-2001, 23.1-2002, 32.1-69.3, 32.1-279, 38.2-5008, and 54.1-2961 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 20 of Title 23.1 sections numbered 23.1-2005, 23.1-2006, and 23.1-2007; and to repeal Chapter 30 (§§ 23.1-3000 through 23.1-3014) of Title 23.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Eastern Virginia Medical School; establishment of Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University.

23101041D

S.B. 1215

Patron: Lucas

Compensation of public school teachers and other Standards of Quality-funded positions; competitive rate. Requires the Commonwealth to compensate its public school teachers at a rate that is competitive, defined in current law as at or above the national average teacher salary, in order to attract and keep highly qualified teachers. Current law declares it the policy of the Commonwealth to compensate public school teachers at such competitive rate but does not require it. The bill requires the Department of Education to conduct an annual calculation to determine the estimated national average teacher salary for each year of the current budget biennium that relies on the most up-to-date data from the source of the 50-state average salary of K-12 teachers in public school set forth in the annual Virginia Compared with the Other States report published by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. The bill permits the Department, in making such calculation, to use the trends of the percent change for the national average teacher salaries in the two to four years prior to project averages in each year of the current and upcoming biennia. The bill requires the results of such calculation to be reported to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Board of Education by June 1 of each year. The bill also requires state funding to be provided pursuant to the general appropriation act in a sum sufficient to fund a certain flat percent annual pay increase for each individual employed in a Standards of Quality-funded position. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2024.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-289.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to compensation of public school teachers and other Standards of Quality-funded positions; competitive rate.

23102903D

S.B. 1225

Patron: Obenshain

Killing the fetus of another; manslaughter; penalties. Provides that any person who kills the fetus of another by an intentional act committed while in the sudden heat of passion upon reasonable provocation is guilty of voluntary manslaughter, which is punishable as a Class 5 felony. The bill also provides that any person who kills the fetus of another accidentally, contrary to the intention of the parties and while engaged in conduct so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life, is guilty of involuntary manslaughter, which is also punishable as a Class 5 felony.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-32.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to killing the fetus of another; manslaughter; penalties.

23102146D

S.B. 1232

Patron: Dunnavant

Death investigations; individuals receiving services in a state hospital or training center. Clarifies that the deaths of individuals who are or who were, immediately prior to admission to another hospital, receiving services in a state hospital or training center operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services must be investigated by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, whether the death of such individual was expected or unexpected. The bill also requires that any report concerning the death of an individual who is receiving services or who, immediately prior to admission to another hospital, received services in a state hospital or training center operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services be delivered to the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and to the State Inspector General. Current law only requires the delivery of autopsy reports.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-283 of the Code of Virginia, relating to death investigations; individuals receiving services in a state hospital or training center.

23101951D

S.B. 1234

Patron: Cosgrove

Transcranial magnetic stimulation; pilot program. Requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to establish a pilot program to make electroencephalogram combined transcranial magnetic stimulation available for veterans, first responders, and law-enforcement officers. The bill requires the State Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to establish regulations for the pilot program.

A BILL to establish a pilot program for transcranial magnetic stimulation.

23104020D

S.B. 1253

Patron: Dunnavant

Certain student assessment results; availability. Requires each school board to provide teachers, parents, principals, and other school leaders with their students' results on any Standards of Learning assessment or Virginia Alternate Assessment Program assessment as soon as practicable after the assessment is administered.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to certain student assessment results; availability.

23101178D

S.B. 1276

Patron: Dunnavant

Autopsies; decedents in the custody of Department of Corrections. Requires, if a decedent is an inmate in the custody of the Department of Corrections, that an autopsy be performed by the Chief Medical Examiner, an Assistant Chief Medical Examiner, or a pathologist with whom the State Health Commissioner has entered into an agreement.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-285 of the Code of Virginia, relating to autopsies; decedents in the custody of Department of Corrections.

23104212D

S.B. 1279

Patron: Boysko

Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; over-the-counter and prescription hearing aids. Clarifies that licensure by the Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians is not required for a corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other like organization engaged in the business of selling prescription hearing aids, defined in the bill as a hearing aid that is not an over-the-counter hearing aid, provided that it employs only licensed practitioners in the direct sale and fitting of prescription hearing aids.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-1500, 54.1-1501, 54.1-1504, and 54.1-1505 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; over-the-counter and prescription hearing aids.

23104205D

S.B. 1307

Patron: Deeds

University of Virginia; board of visitors; membership. Expands the membership of the University of Virginia board of visitors to include two nonvoting advisory members consisting of one faculty member of the University and one staff member of the University. The advisory faculty member shall be selected by the University faculty and the advisory staff member shall be selected by the University staff in the manner deemed appropriate by the faculty and staff, respectively.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-2201 of the Code of Virginia, relating to University of Virginia; board of visitors; membership.

23103801D

S.B. 1344

Patron: Barker

Operation of the City of Alexandria local health department. Allows the City of Alexandria to enter into a contract with the Department of Health for the local administration of local health services.

A BILL to provide for the operation of the local health department of the City of Alexandria.

23102817D

S.B. 1356

Patron: Reeves

Public institutions of higher education; admissions; Virginia Promise to Veterans Act; report. Establishes the Virginia Promise to Veterans Act for the purpose of removing barriers to higher education for veterans of the uniformed services, as defined in the bill, and assisting such veterans in making the transition to civilian life in the Commonwealth. In furtherance of this purpose, the bill directs the governing board of each public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth to provide for the guaranteed acceptance of any eligible veteran applicant, defined in the bill as any applicant who served as a member of the uniformed services and (i) graduated from a high school in the Commonwealth or (ii) served in the uniformed services while assigned to a location in the Commonwealth and who otherwise meets the admissions requirements to enroll as an undergraduate student at such institution. The bill requires the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System, to develop guidelines relating to the administration of the provisions of the chapter for the governing board of each public institution of higher education and to develop guidelines for potential eligible veteran applicants, including any additional resources available to eligible veterans applying under the Act.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 23.1 a chapter numbered 3.1, consisting of sections numbered 23.1-311 through 23.1-314, relating to public institutions of higher education; admissions; Virginia Promise to Veterans Act; report.

23101016D

S.B. 1373

Patron: Vogel

Institutions of higher education; human trafficking awareness and prevention training required. Directs the governing board of each public institution of higher education to develop and implement policies requiring a trauma-informed human trafficking awareness and prevention training program be provided to and completed by all first-year students as a part of such institution's first-year orientation program. The bill also directs the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to encourage private institutions of higher education to develop and implement policies to provide such a human trafficking awareness and prevention training program as a part of their first-year orientation programs.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 8 of Title 23.1 a section numbered 23.1-808.1, relating to institutions of higher education; human trafficking awareness and prevention training required.

23102050D

S.B. 1414

Patron: Pillion

Commonwealth Opioid Abatement and Remediation Fund; established. Establishes the Commonwealth Opioid Abatement and Remediation Fund to receive funds from a direct settlement, judgment, verdict, or other court order relating to consumer protection claims regarding the manufacturing, marketing, distribution, or sale of opioids or that are intended to be used for opioid abatement or remediation, excluding funds designated for transfer to the Opioid Abatement Authority and that shall be deposited by the Office of the Attorney General. Moneys in the Fund shall be administered by the Department of Health and shall be used solely for the purposes of efforts to treat, prevent, or reduce opioid use disorder or the misuse of opioids or to otherwise abate or remediate the opioid epidemic, or for any other approved purposes described in a related settlement, judgment, verdict, or other court order.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 12 of Chapter 22 of Title 2.2 a section numbered 2.2-2377, relating to Commonwealth Opioid Abatement and Remediation Fund; established.

23101945D

S.B. 1415

Patron: Pillion

Opioid impact reduction. Directs the Department of Health to create the Commonwealth Opioid Impact Reduction Registry consisting of nonprofit organizations that work to reduce the impact of opioids in the Commonwealth. The bill allows any person to possess and administer naloxone or other opioid antagonist used for overdose reversal other than naloxone in an injectable formulation with a hypodermic needle or syringe in accordance with protocols developed by the Board of Pharmacy in consultation with the Board of Medicine and the Department of Health, provided that certain other conditions enumerated in current law are met. The bill removes training requirements related to the possession and administration of naloxone and directs the Department of Health, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and the Department of Corrections to collaborate to develop and implement a plan for the distribution of naloxone throughout the Commonwealth. The bill also directs the Department of Corrections to amend its regulations to require that training in the administration of naloxone be provided to every inmate prior to release.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-3408 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 opioid impact reduction.

23101946D

S.B. 1418

Patron: Pillion

State plan for medical assistance services; telemedicine; in-state presence. Establishes that health care providers are not required to maintain a physical presence in the Commonwealth to maintain eligibility to enroll as a Medicaid provider. Additionally, the bill establishes that telemedicine services provider groups with health care providers duly licensed by the Commonwealth are not required to maintain an in-state service address to maintain eligibility to enroll as a Medicaid vendor or Medicaid provider group.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia, relating to state plan for medical assistance services; telemedicine; in-state presence.

23102751D

S.B. 1450

Patron: Norment

Richard Bland College; governance. Removes the authority of the board of visitors of The College of William and Mary in Virginia to supervise, manage, and control Richard Bland College and establishes the 12-member board of visitors of Richard Bland College to generally direct the affairs of the College, including appointing all teachers and fixing their salaries, providing for the employment of other personnel as required, and caring for and preserving all property belonging to the College.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-2802 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 23.1 a chapter numbered 21.1, consisting of sections numbered 23.1-2105 through 23.1-2108; and to repeal § 23.1-2806 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Richard Bland College; governance.

23104165D