2018 Virginia General Assembly
Legislative Highlights
January 11, 2018
The 2018 Virginia legislative session began yesterday. Senate committees are already considering bills, but the House committees have not yet announced their membership or meeting plans.
The Senate Committee on Health and Education this morning approved a bill that will enable the collection of information about the numbers of people in Virginia who have sustained a spinal cord injury and the severity of that injury. The intent of the bill sponsors is to make this information available to the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services in order to develop a plan for better statewide services to meet the needs of individuals who have sustained such an injury. SB 287 is being patroned by Senator Jennifer McClellan on behalf of the Virginia Spinal Association.
The Senate Committee on Rehabilitation may consider a bill tomorrow that will add a requirement to the annual reports that are filed by guardians. SB 156, sponsored by Senator Edwards, requires that the guardian submit a certification from a recent medical provider attesting that a guardianship is still needed.
The disAbility Law Center of Virginia will be monitoring developments in the legislature that may be of interest to people with disabilities. We are available to educate policymakers about the potential impact of legislative proposals. Please let us know of any legislative proposals or budget issues that you think we should be following. Contact us at info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800-552-3962 or 804-225-2042.
The mission of the disAbility Law Center of Virginia is to advance independence, choice and self-determination; protect legal, human and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect, and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation.