July Legislative Update

Dear Friend,

Summer is in full-swing. I hope you are finding time to relax, stay cool, and be with the ones you love. Since my last newsletter, new laws have gone into effect in Virginia as well as some other important state and local updates.

Legislative News

New Laws in Virginia

Every year, most new laws passed during the General Assembly session are effective as of July 1, unless the bill contains a “delayed enactment” date. This year, more than 800 bills were passed into law by the Virginia Legislature. For a comprehensive overview of new laws for 2022, you can read the Virginia Division of Legislative Services’ “In Due Course” here. Additionally, the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) has a summary of popular legislation here and the Times-Dispatch has an overview here.

Here are some highlights:

  • Cocktails-To-Go (HB426/SB254): Allows third party delivery of alcoholic beverages by extending the law’s sunset date from July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2024.

  • Non-consent of Intimate Photos (SB493): Anyone over 18 years old who shares an intimate photo of themselves without the consent of the recipient shall be considered to have committed a trespass and is liable for actual damages or $500, whichever is greater.

  • Voting Locations (HB195): When there is no suitable building that could be used for a polling place within a precinct or within one mile of the precinct boundary, the general registrar can waiver the location requirements.

  • Voter Registration (HB1140): Registrars must notify voters (via mail and e-mail) if their voter registration is canceled.

  • Laser Eye Surgery (HB213/SB375): Optometrists who have received proper certification from the Board of Optometry can perform certain types of laser eye surgery.

  • Price Transparency at Hospitals (HB481): Every hospital must make information about standard charges for items and services provided by the hospital available on the hospital’s website by July 1, 2023.

  • Behavioral Telehealth (HB537): Behavioral health providers outside of the Commonwealth can provide telehealth services to Virginians.

  • College Hazing (HB525/SB439): Also known as “Adam’s Law,” student organizations at public and private colleges will be required to participate in hazing prevention training.

  • Veteran Suicide Prevention (HB1203): Establishes a new position of Suicide Prevention Coordinator in the Virginia Department of Veterans Services to support and closely coordinate effective mental health care services for military service members, veterans, and their families.

  • Blood Type on Driver’s License (SB345): Effective July 1, 2023, the DMV will have the option to add blood type to a driver’s license or identification card for providing emergency medical support.

  • Hunting on Sundays (SB8): Hunting on Sunday on public or private lands is permitted as long as it takes place more than 200 yards from a place of worship

  • Sexually Explicit Content in K-12 Instructional Material (SB656): No later than July 31, 2022, the Department of Education must develop model policies. Local school boards have until January 1, 2023 to adopt policies for ensuring parental notification of any instructional material that includes sexually explicit content.

  • Safe Haven Protections (HB50): The Department of Social Services will establish a toll-free, 24 hour hotline with information available on Virginia’s “Safe Haven” laws that provide for the relinquishment of an infant.

  • Riding Two Abreast on Bicycles (SB362): People riding bicycles cannot ride two abreast if they are impeding the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and requires cyclists to move into a single-file formation as quickly as possible when approached by a faster-moving vehicle.

  • Working Overtime (SB631): Employers will be held accountable for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act when it pertains to overtime work provisions.

  • Excessively Loud Mufflers (HB632): Law enforcement officers can stop vehicles with excessively loud mufflers (either by defect or modification).

Mileage Choice Program Success

The Department of Motor Vehicle’s new Mileage Choice Program is exceeding expectations. As of July 8, one week into its implementation, more than 1,100 people have signed up to participate in the program. The goal for the entire year was 2,000.

The Mileage Choice Program is a voluntary option for drivers who pay a highway use fee (HUF). Those who sign up will pay their HUF on a per-mile basis instead of all at once when they renew their vehicle registration. Customers only pay for the miles they drive. If they drive less, they’ll pay less. If they’re driving more, they’ll never pay more than their annual HUF. For more information, visit here.

If you have any issues with signing up or utilizing this program, please contact my office at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or call 804-698-1169.

Virginia Tourism Corporation - Small Business Grant

The Virginia Tourism Corporation is offering a reimbursable grant program to assist small tourism-related businesses and to bolster non-peak seasonal visitation. The grant application period opens August 4, 2022, and applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on September 20, 2022. More information available here.

Local News

Red Pulse Lanes

Driving through the City, you’ve surely spotted the bright red Pulse lanes. If not, you can watch this WTVR Ch. 6 story on “Why Richmond is painting Broad Street bus lanes red.” Red lanes are a transportation best practice to prevent cars and other motorists from entering the bus only lane. The aim is to provide safety and efficiency. The Broad Street Improvement Project is state-funded; read about it here.

Richmond and Henrico Health District Newsletter

Richmond’s COVID community level remains high. Please take note of this and wear your mask when indoors in a public setting. You can stay updated on COVID and other community health related news by subscribing to the Richmond and Henrico Health District’s weekly e-newsletter here.

Monkeypox Information

There have been cases of Monkeypox (MPV) in the Commonwealth. Currently, there is a low risk of infection, but it is a virus of which you should be aware.

Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus that causes a rash or lesions and is spread through close person to person contact.

The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts received a shipment of JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccines and is vaccinating individuals who may be at higher risk of exposure but have not had a known positive case. You can complete this form if you are interested in receiving a monkeypox vaccine.

For more information on monkeypox and prevention, visit rhhd.gov/monkeypox or call 804-205-3501.

988: New Suicide Prevention Hotline

There is a new, nationwide hotline for people in crisis: 988. People who call or text this number can connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors.

Before this new hotline was established, most people experiencing a mental health emergency called 911. Unfortunately, calling 911 has not always been the most helpful resource as those in crisis end up in chaotic emergency rooms or interacting with law enforcement unnecessarily. You can read more about the implementation of 988 on NPR here.

When you call 988, you are directed to a trained counselor at a crisis call center located closest to you. If the local center is busy, the call gets routed to one of 16 backup centers. Veterans and their loved ones can call 988 and then press 1 to be directed to the Veterans Crisis Line.

Community Events

  • RVA First Fridays: First Friday of every month (next one is August 5) along and around Broad Street in Downtown Richmond’s Arts District. Visit https://www.facebook.com/RVAFirstFridays for more information

  • Free Admission to The Valentine: Every Wednesday for as long as Jefferson Davis is on display, the Valentine will offer free admission. More information here.

  • Richmond Public Libraries: With an increase in funding, all nine Richmond Public Library locations will open at least two weekday evenings until 8:00 p.m. Visit https://rvalibrary.org/ for more information.

  • Shark Week at the Science Museum (July 24-31), visit the Museum’s website for more information.

  • Richmond Symphony’s Summer Chamberfest at Rhythm Hall with tabletop seating for The Genius of Mozart on Thursday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. Visit richmondsymphony.com or call 804-788-1212 x2.

  • Intersecting History Museum Crawl on July 31st from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Crawl includes the opportunity to visit the museums of their choice free of charge on an air-conditioned tour motor-coach. Register here.

  • National Night Out: Join your neighbors for a cookout, fellowship, and other festivities on National Night Out on the evening of August 2. More information here.

Thank You

It is an honor to serve in the House of Delegates. Please never hesitate to contact me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or 804-698-1069 if I can be helpful to you.

Sincerely,

Betsy