Dear Friend
Summer has kicked off with high temperatures and high humidity. I hope you are able to stay cool this Summer and find ways to spend time with loved ones and beat the heat. Below is an update on new laws taking effect (including my gradual ban on polystyrene food takeout containers) as well as other news.
Primary Election Results
The primary election was June 17. Richmonders were able to participate in the Democratic primary for two statewide races and two local races. Congratulations to:
Senator Ghazala Hashmi, Democratic Nominee for Lieutenant Governor.
Jay Jones, Democratic Nominee for Attorney General.
Colette McEachin, Democratic Nominee for Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Antoinette Irving, Democratic Nominee for Richmond Sheriff.
Additionally, I want to thank all the other candidates on the ticket, both in Richmond and in Democratic and Republican primaries in other localities. A strong democracy is reliant on active elections, and I commend the candidates for their interest in public service. Finally, thank you to all the voters who ensured our government is responsive to the people it serves. You can find election results for all the races here.
New Laws in Effect
Most bills that are passed each legislative session, go into effect as law on July 1 following the legislative session. Some bills are given delayed effective dates, sometimes delaying until January 1 or a full year. Below I will highlight some of the pieces of legislation that will go into effect this July. This is certainly not a comprehensive list. You can find all of the passed laws at this link. Additionally, the Division of Legislative Services (DLS) puts together “In Due Course,” a selection of laws going into effect. You can find the publication here. Finally, you may enjoy this article from The Richmond Times-Dispatch highlighting some of the legislation, as well as this report from the Virginia Public Access Project.
Below is a brief selection of some legislation now in effect. If you have questions about a specific piece of legislation, please do not hesitate to contact my office at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or by phone at 804-698-1078.
Transportation & Infrastructure
HB2749 & SB1408 require waterworks to report equipment failures and contaminant releases to the Office of Drinking Water within 2 hours of discovery.
HB2036 makes “exhibition driving” illegal, which includes disrupting traffic for races, passengers riding on the hood or roof of a car, as well as maneuvers such as zigzagging, burnouts, and spinning. As a note, this legislation was passed with an emergency clause, meaning it went into effect as soon as the Governor signed it.
SB1416 creates a traffic infraction for failing to stop for pedestrians and a class 1 misdemeanor if such failure results in injury or death of the pedestrian.
HB2475 requires all adult passengers to wear a seatbelt while in a motor vehicle. Currently, only the front seat passengers must do so.
HB1722 creates the “Lupus Awareness,” special license plate, with revenues shared with the Social Butterflies Foundation.
Consumer & Digital Protections
HB2124 & SB1053 create a class 1 misdemeanor for using synthetic digital content (AI-generated content) to commit fraud.
SB854 requires social media companies to limit usage on their platform by minors aged 16 years or younger, to one hour per day.
SB754 establishes that it is illegal to obtain or sell personal identifying information regarding one’s reproductive or sexual health.
HB1725 creates the Medical Debt Protection Act, which prohibits large medical care institutions and medical debt buying agencies from using extraordinary or predatory practices to collect debt, as well as limits when and how much interest and late fees can be assessed.
SB1339 requires senders of text message solicitations to offer an unsubscribe option. Should a recipient request not to receive messages, that request must be honored for 10 years.
Public Safety
HB2657 & SB746 establish that if someone knowingly distributes a drug that contains detectable amounts of fentanyl, they can be charged with involuntarily manslaughter should the distributed substance lead to an unintentional overdose fatality.
HB2308 establishes a misdemeanor for recreationally inhaling nitrous oxide as well as selling devices intended to deliver nitrous oxide gas to persons under age 18.
HB2783 makes it illegal to display a Nazi symbol with the intent to intimidate others by placing it on another’s private property without permission, or on a highway or other public place.
Education
HB1961 & SB738 direct school boards to develop policies on when students can use cellphones.
HB2774 & SB1240 requires school principals to report student overdoses to families within 24 hours.
HB1910 & SB1289 prohibit public schools from offering any food that contains any of the seven food color additives listed in the law.
Healthcare
HB1918 establishes the Women’s Menstrual Health Program at the Department of Health for the purpose of providing educational resources, training, and guidelines on menstrual healthcare to providers and the public.
HB2198 authorizes the Board of Health to license prescribed pediatric extended care centers, which are nonresidential care centers for medically and technologically dependent children.
HB2253 & SB1383 establishes a procedure for the State Health Commissioner to sanction nursing home facilities that are not upholding their standards.
HB2610 & SB875 require the Department of Medical Assistance Services to consolidate pharmacy benefits management to one single pharmacy benefit manager (PBM). Currently, the 5 managed care organizations (MCOs) that contract with DMAS each contract their own PBMs. Note that DMAS has until July 1, 2026 to implement the single-contract PBM.
SB1384 ensures patients have access to doula care.
Corrections
HB2235 prohibits the use of restraints on pregnant prisoners unless under some limited circumstances.
Labor
HB1766 & SB1056 increase the weekly unemployment compensation amount, effective January 1, 2026.
HB2401 & SB998 require that children under the age of 16 engaged in the work of content creation, be compensated by the content creator via a trust fund for earnings made from content using the child’s name, image, or likeness.
SB1218 builds on the current prohibition on employers from entering into or enforcing a “non-compete agreement,” with low wage employees (defined in law). This new bill adds any employee eligible for overtime payment under federal law to the low wage employee category.
Campaign Finance
HB2165 & SB1002 prohibit candidates from using campaign finance funds for personal uses.
Budget
HB1600 is also now in effect. This legislation reflects changes to the 2024-2026 biennial budget. Previous newsletters have highlighted the appropriations contained in HB1600. This recent article from The Richmond Times-Dispatch covers some budget components as well as how the process unfolded. Additionally, you may enjoy this article covering the ban on polystyrene food takeout containers going into effect, resulting from my 2020 legislation.
Legislative Meetings
June contained several interesting legislative meetings. On June 4, the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission (JLARC) met to hear reports on the potential of transferring the Department of Juvenile Justice from the Secretary of Public Safety to the Secretary of Health & Human Resources; and a report on workforce and industry incentives. You can watch a recording of the presentations and the reports here.
The Appropriations Committee met June 16 to receive a revenue and economic report from the Secretary of Finance, as well as reports on the Standards of Learning system update and an update on Federal impacts to the Department of Social Services. You can find a recording and the presentations here.
The Emergency Committee on the Impacts of the Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions met June 20 at Norfolk State University. Presentations included impacts to the Hampton Roads area, coastal resiliency efforts, emergency management programs, rental assistance, as well as reports on the economic impact of tariffs as well as reductions to K-12 funding. You can find the agenda, presentations, and a recording of the meeting here.
Upcoming meetings include:
JLARC is scheduled to meet, July 14, 10am. Reports will include an update on the Virginia Retirement System and school library book removal.
The Joint Subcommittee for Health and Human Resources Oversight will meet July 15, 10am, with the agenda to be determined.
There will be a Legislative Healthcare Bootcamp, July 22, 9am, which will cover a wide range of pertinent topics. You can livestream the meeting here.
Endorsements
I have been honored to receive several endorsements on my re-election campaign, including:
National Women’s Political Caucus of Virginia
Virginia Education Association
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Giffords
Roe Your Vote
Freedom Virginia
LGBT+ Democrats
Humane World Action Fund
Clean Virginia
I will update as more expected endorsements are announced, spanning important stakeholder groups such as labor, frontline workers, environmental advocates, and other advocacy organizations.
Power Outages & Downed Lines
The high heat we’ve experienced, has been punctuated by dramatic storms, with heavy rainfall and strong winds. This has resulted in small power outages and many downed trees and tree limbs. Dominion has made available this website to report outages and track restoration. Additionally, the website hosts information for streetlight outages and downed power lines; as a reminder, always keep 30 feet away from downed power lines and call 866-366-4357 to report the power line.
Extreme Heat & Cooling Stations
Summer has brought high temperatures and humidity. The City of Richmond has made available several cooling stations, open until Labor Day. Cooling stations include public library locations, Department of Social Services, and some Parks & Recreation facilities. Additionally, community pools and splash pads are open. You can find the complete list here.
Mayor Avula’s Newsletter
Mayor Avula has begun a newsletter titled “Hey, Richmond.” Each edition will spotlight the work Mayor Avula is doing to increase transparency and government efficiency. Additionally, community events and city employee profiles will be included. You can subscribe at this link.
Richmond International Airport
Recently, I toured the Richmond International Airport (RIC) to learn about the important role our airport plays in the tourism and business community of Central Virginia. Additionally, RIC is unique in that it does not receive funding from its surrounding localities, as many comparable airports do. Instead, RIC leadership has been exceedingly creative in generating revenues, attracting investment, and fully utilizing its resources.
In the near future, RIC will consolidate its security checkpoints to make way for continued growth and increased efficiency, while also bolstering concessions and retail spaces. You can read more here.
Additionally, recent news celebrated RIC utilizing its international designation by adding direct flights to the Bahamas. You can read more here.
Sheltering Arms Institute
The Sheltering Arms Institute, a joint partnership with VCU Health, is the premier rehabilitation hospital of Virginia. I recently toured the main campus near Short Pump, which has 114 beds and a cutting-edge gym with rehab technology. Additional beds are currently being added through an addition.
Sheltering Arms’ Youtube page displays (among many other series such as wheelchair maintenance and virtual tours) patient testimonials. You can find the videos 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 804-698-1078 if I can be helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Betsy