2018 Virginia General Assembly
Legislative Highlights
January 12, 2018
We are 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 House of Delegates has posted their committee assignments and meeting times, at http://leg1.state.va.us/181/com/COM.HTM. Their regular committee meetings will begin Monday morning.
Senate Committees are already underway.
Guardian annual reports
SB 156 (Edwards) — requires additional information in a guardian’s annual report, specifically an annual report from a medical professional. Referred from Senate Rehabilitation to Senate Courts of Justice.
HB 216 (Krizek) – companion bill to SB 156 above, has not been assigned to a committee yet.
Hate Crimes
On Monday, January 15, 2018, the Senate Committee on Courts of Justice will hear two bills on hate crimes, both of which add “disability” to the list of classes that are protected by Virginia’s hate crimes statute.
SB 45 (Favola) – add disability only to the list of protected classes under the hate crimes statute.
SB 112 (Favola) – adds disability, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation to the list of protected classes under the hate crimes statute.
House bills dealing with hate crimes include HB 10 (Kory), HB 266 (Turpin), and HB 718 (Plum).
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.