2017 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Highlights February 15, 2017 The disAbility law Center of Virginia has been monitoring developments in the legislature of interest or concern to people with disabilities. There have been a number of measures considered that would impact the future of Virginia’s training center. SB 1551 (Newman) states that the Department can...
Author: disAbility Law Center of Virginia
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February 2, 2017 – Legislative Highlights
2017 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Highlights February 2, 2017 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. As crossover approaches next week, many bills addressing mental health issues remain alive, while others have seen defeat. ...
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January 25, 2017 – Legislative Highlights
2017 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Highlights January 25, 2017 The General Assembly will consider several bills that address the need to have systemic oversight of allegations of abuse and neglect of people with disabilities. HB 1508 (Hope) and SB 894 (Favola) require the Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to provide...
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January 23, 2017 – Legislative Highlights
2017 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Highlights January 23, 2017 The Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections will hear a number of bills tomorrow that could increase the ability of people with disabilities and other Virginians to be able to vote by early voting or absentee voting. SB 792 (Ebbin), SB 1016 (Barker), and SB 1132...
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March 16, 2015 – FAPT
The 2015 session of the Virginia General Assembly ended on February 27, 2015. The Governor is now reviewing legislation that was approved by both Houses. For most of the legislation that we are monitoring, he has a deadline of March 29, 2015 to either sign, veto, or make suggested changes. If he does not act...
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March 2, 2015 – After the session: Budget highlights
The 2015 session has come to a close, one day early. The Governor now has an opportunity to review all bills that passed both the House and the Senate. He will also have 30 days to review the budget amendments approved by both the House and the Senate. In his review of legislative items, he...
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February 27, 2015 – Observation Status
The Virginia General Assembly is on track to end the 2015 session by Saturday, February 28th. They have adopted mutual amendments to the Governor’s budget, and have completed work on most of the bills that will be approved by the legislature. Once such bill dealt with a hospital’s duty to notify a patient when they...
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February 24, 2015 – Medical marijuana in Virginia
The 2015 session is scheduled to end on Saturday, February 28 at noon. Legislators seems to be well on track for a timely close of the session. An interesting bill has been approved by both houses, allowing for the use of marijuana for limited medical reasons. HB 1445 was patroned by Delegate Albo. It states...
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February 20, 2015 – Children’s Issues
The end of the 2015 session is still a week away, but most bills of interest to the disability community have already been addressed. There were several bills that related to children with mental health issues and other disabilities. These include: Mental Health Treatment of Objecting Minors HB 1717 (LeMunyon) was approved by the full...
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February 19, 2015 – Stun Guns in School
A Senate committee killed a bill today that would have allowed school security officers to have stun guns, batons or pepper spray. HB 1309 (Cole) had been approved by subcommittee earlier this week. Advocates raised concerns that the approved weapons would be used against children and especially against children with disabilities. The patron stated, in...