2027 Regular Regular Session·549 bills
Track legislation moving through Virginia. Browse 549 bills and resolutions during the 2027 Regular Regular Session, each with a plain-language summary, current status from introduction to enactment, sponsors, and voting history.
Health insurance; reimbursement rates. Requires health insurance carriers to reimburse in-network providers for covered mental health services and outpatient treatment at rates negotiated between the health carrier and the in-network provider, provided that such rates are no less than 100 percent of the applicable reimbursement rate under Medicare for the same provider and service.
Health insurance; reimbursement rates. Requires health insurance carriers to reimburse in-network providers for covered mental health services and outpatient treatment at rates negotiated between the health carrier and the in-network provider, provided that such rates are no less than 100 percent of the applicable reimbursement rate under Medicare for the same provider and service.
Certain student assessment requirements; exception for certain students with disabilities. Excludes any students in grades seven through 12 who are children with disabilities and who participate in an alternative method of Standards of Learning assessment administration or who participate in an alternate assessment through the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program from the requirement that such students take Standards of Learning assessments or permissive local alternative assessments no earlier than two weeks prior to the last day of the school year and that each such student's score on any such assessment accounts for at least 10 percent of the student's final grade in the relevant course.
Certain student assessment requirements; exception for certain students with disabilities. Excludes any students in grades seven through 12 who are children with disabilities and who participate in an alternative method of Standards of Learning assessment administration or who participate in an alternate assessment through the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program from the requirement that such students take Standards of Learning assessments or permissive local alternative assessments no earlier than two weeks prior to the last day of the school year and that each such student's score on any such assessment accounts for at least 10 percent of the student's final grade in the relevant course.
Employee protections; wage and hour, health and safety, and mining safety provisions; federal rules. Requires that, if a federal wage or hour law, federal occupational health and safety law, or federal mine safety law is repealed, revoked, amended, or reinterpreted in any manner that results in the federal protections becoming less stringent or effective, the Commissioner, the Safety and Health Codes Board, or the Department of Energy, respectively, shall promulgate regulations that incorporate the federal law as it existed prior to being repealed, revoked, amended, or newly interpreted.
Employee protections; wage and hour, health and safety, and mining safety provisions; federal rules. Requires that, if a federal wage or hour law, federal occupational health and safety law, or federal mine safety law is repealed, revoked, amended, or reinterpreted in any manner that results in the federal protections becoming less stringent or effective, the Commissioner, the Safety and Health Codes Board, or the Department of Energy, respectively, shall promulgate regulations that incorporate the federal law as it existed prior to being repealed, revoked, amended, or newly interpreted.
Mechanics' liens; liens attaching to property; memorandum of lien. Removes the exclusion of the attachment of a mechanic's lien to property improved or repaired when the lien is based on a claim for repairs or existing structures. The bill further removes (i) the ability of a lien claimant to file any number of memoranda of lien including the details relating to the lien and (ii) the provisions of the Code specifying that no memorandum filed shall include sums due for (a) labor or materials furnished more than 150 days prior to the last day labor was performed or (b) material furnished to the job preceding the filing of such memorandum.
Mechanics' liens; liens attaching to property; memorandum of lien. Removes the exclusion of the attachment of a mechanic's lien to property improved or repaired when the lien is based on a claim for repairs or existing structures. The bill further removes (i) the ability of a lien claimant to file any number of memoranda of lien including the details relating to the lien and (ii) the provisions of the Code specifying that no memorandum filed shall include sums due for (a) labor or materials furnished more than 150 days prior to the last day labor was performed or (b) material furnished to the job preceding the filing of such memorandum.
Board of Pharmacy; compounding pharmacies; use of bulk drug substances; recordkeeping. Establishes additional requirements for when pharmacists may use bulk drug substances in compounding and specifies prohibitions on pharmacist use of (i) bulk drug substances that were withdrawn or removed from the market for reasons of safety and effectiveness or were covered by an investigational new drug application and not approved and (ii) compounded drug products that are essentially a copy of commercially available drug products. The bill permits the Board of Pharmacy to request records of all compounded drug products and requires pharmacists to furnish such records within 48 hours of such request or within a reasonable time as determined by the Board. The bill also permits the Board of Pharmacy to submit any information related to investigations, disciplinary proceedings, or inspection of a licensee to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
Board of Pharmacy; compounding pharmacies; use of bulk drug substances; recordkeeping. Establishes additional requirements for when pharmacists may use bulk drug substances in compounding and specifies prohibitions on pharmacist use of (i) bulk drug substances that were withdrawn or removed from the market for reasons of safety and effectiveness or were covered by an investigational new drug application and not approved and (ii) compounded drug products that are essentially a copy of commercially available drug products. The bill permits the Board of Pharmacy to request records of all compounded drug products and requires pharmacists to furnish such records within 48 hours of such request or within a reasonable time as determined by the Board. The bill also permits the Board of Pharmacy to submit any information related to investigations, disciplinary proceedings, or inspection of a licensee to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
Judicial Council of Virginia; work group to study the implementation of provisions to improve procedures for and responses to victims of family abuse and their children in child custody proceedings; report. Directs the Judicial Council of Virginia to convene a work group of relevant stakeholders to study the implementation of provisions to improve procedures for and responses to victims of family abuse and their children in child custody proceedings. The bill requires the work group to submit its findings and recommendations by November 1, 2026, to the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice.
Judicial Council of Virginia; work group to study the implementation of provisions to improve procedures for and responses to victims of family abuse and their children in child custody proceedings; report. Directs the Judicial Council of Virginia to convene a work group of relevant stakeholders to study the implementation of provisions to improve procedures for and responses to victims of family abuse and their children in child custody proceedings. The bill requires the work group to submit its findings and recommendations by November 1, 2026, to the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice.
Local anti-rent gouging authority; civil penalty. Provides that any locality may by ordinance adopt anti-rent gouging provisions. The bill provides for notice and a public hearing prior to the adoption of such ordinance and specifies that all landlords who are under the ordinance may be required to give at least 90 days' written notice of a rent increase and cannot increase the rent by more than the locality's calculated allowance, not to exceed three percent, and states that such allowance is effective for a 12-month period beginning July 1 each year. The bill requires the locality to publish such allowance on its website by June 1 of each year. Certain facilities, as outlined in the bill, are exempt from such ordinance. The bill also requires a locality adopting an anti-rent gouging ordinance to establish an anti-rent gouging board to establish rules and procedures by which landlords may apply for and be granted exemptions from the rent increase limits set by the ordinance or delegate such duties and functions to an existing local board, department, or agency. The bill also requires the anti-rent gouging board to establish a fair return on investment rent increase exemption to the annual anti-rent gouging allowance where necessary to offset increased operating expenses. Finally, the bill provides that a locality shall establish a civil penalty for failure to comply with the requirements set out in its ordinance.
Local anti-rent gouging authority; civil penalty. Provides that any locality may by ordinance adopt anti-rent gouging provisions. The bill provides for notice and a public hearing prior to the adoption of such ordinance and specifies that all landlords who are under the ordinance may be required to give at least 90 days' written notice of a rent increase and cannot increase the rent by more than the locality's calculated allowance, not to exceed three percent, and states that such allowance is effective for a 12-month period beginning July 1 each year. The bill requires the locality to publish such allowance on its website by June 1 of each year. Certain facilities, as outlined in the bill, are exempt from such ordinance. The bill also requires a locality adopting an anti-rent gouging ordinance to establish an anti-rent gouging board to establish rules and procedures by which landlords may apply for and be granted exemptions from the rent increase limits set by the ordinance or delegate such duties and functions to an existing local board, department, or agency. The bill also requires the anti-rent gouging board to establish a fair return on investment rent increase exemption to the annual anti-rent gouging allowance where necessary to offset increased operating expenses. Finally, the bill provides that a locality shall establish a civil penalty for failure to comply with the requirements set out in its ordinance.
Powers and duties of the Marine Products Board; full-time equivalent position established; marketing and production of blue catfish. Directs the Marine Products Board to establish a full-time equivalent position to identify grants and other funding opportunities for the marketing and production of blue catfish in the Commonwealth and disburse moneys from such grants and funds.
Powers and duties of the Marine Products Board; full-time equivalent position established; marketing and production of blue catfish. Directs the Marine Products Board to establish a full-time equivalent position to identify grants and other funding opportunities for the marketing and production of blue catfish in the Commonwealth and disburse moneys from such grants and funds.
Use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children; exception. Provides that the crime of using communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children only applies when (i) the child involved is within the age ranges prescribed by law or (ii) the other person involved is a law-enforcement officer posing as a child within the age ranges prescribed by law while in the performance of his official duties.
Use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children; exception. Provides that the crime of using communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children only applies when (i) the child involved is within the age ranges prescribed by law or (ii) the other person involved is a law-enforcement officer posing as a child within the age ranges prescribed by law while in the performance of his official duties.
Public campaign financing; counties and cities may establish for certain offices. Authorizes the governing body of a county or city to establish by ordinance a system of public campaign financing for elected local offices. The bill specifies certain requirements for a system of public campaign financing established by a governing body, including the provision of a public election fund to be administered by the treasurer of the county or city. A system of public campaign financing established by a county or city is permitted to more stringently regulate the campaign finance activity of participating candidates and shall be subject to regulation and oversight by the State Board of Elections to ensure its conformity with state law and policy to the extent practicable.
Public campaign financing; counties and cities may establish for certain offices. Authorizes the governing body of a county or city to establish by ordinance a system of public campaign financing for elected local offices. The bill specifies certain requirements for a system of public campaign financing established by a governing body, including the provision of a public election fund to be administered by the treasurer of the county or city. A system of public campaign financing established by a county or city is permitted to more stringently regulate the campaign finance activity of participating candidates and shall be subject to regulation and oversight by the State Board of Elections to ensure its conformity with state law and policy to the extent practicable.
Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act; pre-tenancy fees. Prohibits a landlord from charging or collecting any fee that is not a pre-tenancy fee as described in the bill and limits the charging or collection of such pre-tenancy fees to either prior to or upon the execution of a rental agreement. The bill requires a landlord to, prior to requesting or collecting any payment or information about a prospective tenant and prior to exhibiting the dwelling unit to a prospective tenant, notify the prospective tenant of any pre-tenancy fees in writing or by posting in a manner accessible to a prospective tenant. The bill provides that no landlord shall charge any fee to a prospective tenant prior to exhibiting the dwelling unit to the prospective tenant, unless the prospective tenant agrees to waive such requirement.The bill allows a landlord to collect a pet deposit, defined in the bill as separate from a security deposit, from a tenant if a pet is occupying the dwelling unit. The bill provides that no security deposit or pet deposit may be applied by the landlord toward (i) the cost of professional services or (ii) the cost of materials and labor performed by the landlord or an employee of the landlord, unless such costs are (a) reasonably necessary to return the premises to the same condition as the condition of the premises at the start of the rental agreement, less reasonable wear and tear, and (b) the landlord provides a receipt reflecting such costs to the tenant. The bill also reduces from two months of rent to one month of rent the maximum security deposit amount and decreases from 45 days to 30 days the amount of time after the termination date of the tenancy or the date the tenant vacates the dwelling unit, whichever occurs last, that the landlord shall provide a written notice to the tenant of the itemized charges deducted from the security deposit and applies the same provisions to pet deposits.The bill also provides that nothing shall be construed to allow an owner, manager, or operator of a residential building to charge a tenant for water, sewer, electrical, natural gas, oil, or other utilities if the utility is supplied directly to the tenant.Finally, the bill applies the provisions of law relating to the rental application process and administrative or renewal fees, as amended by this bill, to the Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act.
Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act; pre-tenancy fees. Prohibits a landlord from charging or collecting any fee that is not a pre-tenancy fee as described in the bill and limits the charging or collection of such pre-tenancy fees to either prior to or upon the execution of a rental agreement. The bill requires a landlord to, prior to requesting or collecting any payment or information about a prospective tenant and prior to exhibiting the dwelling unit to a prospective tenant, notify the prospective tenant of any pre-tenancy fees in writing or by posting in a manner accessible to a prospective tenant. The bill provides that no landlord shall charge any fee to a prospective tenant prior to exhibiting the dwelling unit to the prospective tenant, unless the prospective tenant agrees to waive such requirement.The bill allows a landlord to collect a pet deposit, defined in the bill as separate from a security deposit, from a tenant if a pet is occupying the dwelling unit. The bill provides that no security deposit or pet deposit may be applied by the landlord toward (i) the cost of professional services or (ii) the cost of materials and labor performed by the landlord or an employee of the landlord, unless such costs are (a) reasonably necessary to return the premises to the same condition as the condition of the premises at the start of the rental agreement, less reasonable wear and tear, and (b) the landlord provides a receipt reflecting such costs to the tenant. The bill also reduces from two months of rent to one month of rent the maximum security deposit amount and decreases from 45 days to 30 days the amount of time after the termination date of the tenancy or the date the tenant vacates the dwelling unit, whichever occurs last, that the landlord shall provide a written notice to the tenant of the itemized charges deducted from the security deposit and applies the same provisions to pet deposits.The bill also provides that nothing shall be construed to allow an owner, manager, or operator of a residential building to charge a tenant for water, sewer, electrical, natural gas, oil, or other utilities if the utility is supplied directly to the tenant.Finally, the bill applies the provisions of law relating to the rental application process and administrative or renewal fees, as amended by this bill, to the Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act.
Health insurance; treatment of cancer and certain diseases; coverage of certain medications. Requires an insurer, corporation providing preferred provider subscription contracts, or health maintenance organization that provides coverage for drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration and prescribed for the treatment of cancer or diseases of the blood to allow, at the patient's direction, (i) provider-administered drugs for such treatment to be dispensed by an in-network treating provider consistent with a provider agreement; (ii) provider-administered drugs for such treatment to be dispensed by an in-network treating provider when there is a documented delay of at least three days in the delivery of a medication from the designated specialty pharmacy; and (iii) self-administered drugs for such treatment to be sent to the pharmacy of the patient's choosing.
Health insurance; treatment of cancer and certain diseases; coverage of certain medications. Requires an insurer, corporation providing preferred provider subscription contracts, or health maintenance organization that provides coverage for drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration and prescribed for the treatment of cancer or diseases of the blood to allow, at the patient's direction, (i) provider-administered drugs for such treatment to be dispensed by an in-network treating provider consistent with a provider agreement; (ii) provider-administered drugs for such treatment to be dispensed by an in-network treating provider when there is a documented delay of at least three days in the delivery of a medication from the designated specialty pharmacy; and (iii) self-administered drugs for such treatment to be sent to the pharmacy of the patient's choosing.
Study; JLARC; potential effects of revising the distribution of 599 funding to distressed localities with high crime and poverty rates; report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the potential effects of revising the distribution of 599 funding to distressed localities with high crime and poverty rates.
Study; JLARC; potential effects of revising the distribution of 599 funding to distressed localities with high crime and poverty rates; report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the potential effects of revising the distribution of 599 funding to distressed localities with high crime and poverty rates.
Nursing facilities; related party rent disclosures; incentive payment reduction; penalty. Requires any nursing facility enrolled as a Medicaid provider that makes rent or lease payments to publicly disclose information related to the rent or lease payments, including whether payments are made to a related party, the nature of the related party, and the related party rent expense, as defined in the bill. The bill requires the Department of Medical Assistance Services to determine whether related party rent expenses exceed a fair rental value benchmark and if so, deduct a portion of any incentive payment owed to the nursing facility. A knowingly false attestation or disclosure is punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Nursing facilities; related party rent disclosures; incentive payment reduction; penalty. Requires any nursing facility enrolled as a Medicaid provider that makes rent or lease payments to publicly disclose information related to the rent or lease payments, including whether payments are made to a related party, the nature of the related party, and the related party rent expense, as defined in the bill. The bill requires the Department of Medical Assistance Services to determine whether related party rent expenses exceed a fair rental value benchmark and if so, deduct a portion of any incentive payment owed to the nursing facility. A knowingly false attestation or disclosure is punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Virginia Youth Empowerment and Mentoring Grant Fund and Program; established. Establishes the Virginia Youth Empowerment and Mentoring Grant Fund and Program, to be administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services, for the purpose of awarding grants to community-based organizations for the purpose of placing mentors with high-risk youth in an effort to transition such youth into careers in certified high-wage trades.
Virginia Youth Empowerment and Mentoring Grant Fund and Program; established. Establishes the Virginia Youth Empowerment and Mentoring Grant Fund and Program, to be administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services, for the purpose of awarding grants to community-based organizations for the purpose of placing mentors with high-risk youth in an effort to transition such youth into careers in certified high-wage trades.
Local authority on requiring water consumption in zoning ordinance; industrial and commercial facilities. Authorizes a locality to include in its zoning ordinance provisions for (i) requiring proposed industrial and commercial facilities to submit water consumption estimates and (ii) considering water consumption from public resources when making rezoning and special use permit decisions related to such facilities.
Local authority on requiring water consumption in zoning ordinance; industrial and commercial facilities. Authorizes a locality to include in its zoning ordinance provisions for (i) requiring proposed industrial and commercial facilities to submit water consumption estimates and (ii) considering water consumption from public resources when making rezoning and special use permit decisions related to such facilities.
County manager plan of government; affordable dwelling unit ordinance. Increases local authority over affordable housing for counties that have adopted the county manager plan of government (Arlington County) by (i) potentially increasing the cash contribution to the county's affordable housing fund by developers in lieu of providing affordable dwelling units and (ii) providing that applications for a special exception approval for a change of use of an existing building from commercial to residential may be subject to an affordable housing requirement. The bill directs the governing body of such counties to appoint an advisory board to advise the governing body regarding the appropriate provisions of an ordinance to amend the cash contribution amounts to such county's affordable housing fund. Certain provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2027 Session of the General Assembly.
County manager plan of government; affordable dwelling unit ordinance. Increases local authority over affordable housing for counties that have adopted the county manager plan of government (Arlington County) by (i) potentially increasing the cash contribution to the county's affordable housing fund by developers in lieu of providing affordable dwelling units and (ii) providing that applications for a special exception approval for a change of use of an existing building from commercial to residential may be subject to an affordable housing requirement. The bill directs the governing body of such counties to appoint an advisory board to advise the governing body regarding the appropriate provisions of an ordinance to amend the cash contribution amounts to such county's affordable housing fund. Certain provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2027 Session of the General Assembly.
Newborn and stillborn tax credit. Establishes a refundable income tax credit for taxable years 2026 through 2030 for married individuals in an amount equal to $2,000 per eligible birth so long as such eligible birth is not also the birth of a child by a surrogate. The bill also allows individuals and married individuals filing jointly to claim a refundable income tax credit in an amount equal to $2,000 per stillborn birth so long as such stillborn birth is not also the birth of a child by a surrogate. The bill specifies that only one tax credit may be claimed for each eligible birth or stillborn birth.
Newborn and stillborn tax credit. Establishes a refundable income tax credit for taxable years 2026 through 2030 for married individuals in an amount equal to $2,000 per eligible birth so long as such eligible birth is not also the birth of a child by a surrogate. The bill also allows individuals and married individuals filing jointly to claim a refundable income tax credit in an amount equal to $2,000 per stillborn birth so long as such stillborn birth is not also the birth of a child by a surrogate. The bill specifies that only one tax credit may be claimed for each eligible birth or stillborn birth.
Court fines and fees; indigent defendant; waiver of fees. Provides that in any criminal or traffic case, the court may waive the assessment of certain fees specified in the bill, either wholly or in part, if the court determines the defendant to be indigent pursuant to the financial criteria set forth in relevant law and unable to pay such fee. The bill provides that the court may make such determination sua sponte or upon motion of the defendant at any time prior to the entry of an order for which such fee is assessed or the final order has been entered.
Court fines and fees; indigent defendant; waiver of fees. Provides that in any criminal or traffic case, the court may waive the assessment of certain fees specified in the bill, either wholly or in part, if the court determines the defendant to be indigent pursuant to the financial criteria set forth in relevant law and unable to pay such fee. The bill provides that the court may make such determination sua sponte or upon motion of the defendant at any time prior to the entry of an order for which such fee is assessed or the final order has been entered.
Department of Medical Assistance Services; enhanced oversight of services facilitators. Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to enhance oversight of Medicaid services facilitation for consumer directed services, including incorporation of such services into the statewide Fiscal Employer Agent contract and development of a contract monitoring and oversight plan.
Department of Medical Assistance Services; enhanced oversight of services facilitators. Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to enhance oversight of Medicaid services facilitation for consumer directed services, including incorporation of such services into the statewide Fiscal Employer Agent contract and development of a contract monitoring and oversight plan.
Real property tax exemption; surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty. Authorizes localities by ordinance to provide a total exemption from real property taxes regardless of assessed value beginning in taxable year 2026 for surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty. Under current law, a total exemption is only allowed for such surviving spouses for those dwellings in the locality with assessed values in the most recently ended tax year that are not in excess of the average assessed value for such year of a dwelling situated on property that is zoned as single family residential.
Real property tax exemption; surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty. Authorizes localities by ordinance to provide a total exemption from real property taxes regardless of assessed value beginning in taxable year 2026 for surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty. Under current law, a total exemption is only allowed for such surviving spouses for those dwellings in the locality with assessed values in the most recently ended tax year that are not in excess of the average assessed value for such year of a dwelling situated on property that is zoned as single family residential.
Court appearance of a person not free on bail. Makes various changes to provisions regarding bail hearings, including (i) the appointment of counsel for the accused; (ii) the information provided to counsel for the accused; (iii) a requirement that counsel for the accused, when practicable, be provided with adequate time to confer with the accused prior to any bail hearing; and (iv) the compensation of counsel for the accused. The bill provides that, effective in due course, the chief judge in each circuit shall create a plan to be completed by November 1, 2026, that establishes the means by which the jurisdiction will meet such provisions. The remaining provisions of the bill have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.
Court appearance of a person not free on bail. Makes various changes to provisions regarding bail hearings, including (i) the appointment of counsel for the accused; (ii) the information provided to counsel for the accused; (iii) a requirement that counsel for the accused, when practicable, be provided with adequate time to confer with the accused prior to any bail hearing; and (iv) the compensation of counsel for the accused. The bill provides that, effective in due course, the chief judge in each circuit shall create a plan to be completed by November 1, 2026, that establishes the means by which the jurisdiction will meet such provisions. The remaining provisions of the bill have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.
Taxation in the Commonwealth. Levies the retail sales and use tax on the following services: admissions; charges for recreation, fitness, or sports facilities; nonmedical personal services or counseling; dry cleaning and laundry services; companion animal care; residential home repair or maintenance, landscaping, or cleaning services when paid for directly by a resident or homeowner; vehicle and engine repair; repairs or alterations to tangible personal property; storage of tangible personal property; delivery or shipping services; travel, event, and aesthetic planning services; and digital services. Digital services are defined in the bill as the following: software application services, computer-related services, website hosting and design, data storage, and digital subscription services. The services taxed under the bill include any transaction for digital services where the purchaser or consumer of the service is a business but do not include any service otherwise exempt under law. The bill also imposes the retail sales and use tax on digital personal property, defined in the bill as a digital product delivered electronically that the purchaser owns or has the ability to continually access without having to pay an additional subscription or usage fee to the seller after paying the initial purchase price. Revenues generated by the taxes levied on services and digital personal property shall be allocated in the same manner as other sales and use taxes; however, revenues from the state portion of the sales and use tax that would be allocated to the general fund shall instead be allocated as follows: first, (i) revenue generated by the imposition of such tax on delivery services in the Northern Virginia Transportation District shall be distributed to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and (ii) all other revenues generated by the imposition of such tax on delivery services shall be distributed to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. Of the remaining revenues, (a) 60 percent shall be distributed to localities on the basis of school-age population and (b) 40 percent shall be distributed to localities on the basis of the high-need student population in the locality. The bill clarifies that a high-need student population includes students who are (1) automatically certified for free school meals because of participation in social services programs, (2) participants in a program of special education, or (3) English language learners. The bill provides certain exemptions to the sales and use tax on services, including health care services that must be performed by a person licensed or certified by the Department of Health Professions, veterinary services, professional services, internet access services, and services provided by a person who does not receive more than $2,500 per year in gross receipts for performance of such services. The bill exempts services purchased by a nonprofit organization and services purchased by a homeowners' association or by a landlord for the benefit of his tenant. The bill also repeals the service exemptions currently provided for the sale of custom programs and modification of prewritten programs. Finally, the bill exempts food purchased for human consumption and essential personal hygiene products from all state, local, and regional sales taxes on and after July 1, 2026. Under current law, food purchased for human consumption and essential personal hygiene products are subject only to the one percent local option sales tax.
Taxation in the Commonwealth. Levies the retail sales and use tax on the following services: admissions; charges for recreation, fitness, or sports facilities; nonmedical personal services or counseling; dry cleaning and laundry services; companion animal care; residential home repair or maintenance, landscaping, or cleaning services when paid for directly by a resident or homeowner; vehicle and engine repair; repairs or alterations to tangible personal property; storage of tangible personal property; delivery or shipping services; travel, event, and aesthetic planning services; and digital services. Digital services are defined in the bill as the following: software application services, computer-related services, website hosting and design, data storage, and digital subscription services. The services taxed under the bill include any transaction for digital services where the purchaser or consumer of the service is a business but do not include any service otherwise exempt under law. The bill also imposes the retail sales and use tax on digital personal property, defined in the bill as a digital product delivered electronically that the purchaser owns or has the ability to continually access without having to pay an additional subscription or usage fee to the seller after paying the initial purchase price. Revenues generated by the taxes levied on services and digital personal property shall be allocated in the same manner as other sales and use taxes; however, revenues from the state portion of the sales and use tax that would be allocated to the general fund shall instead be allocated as follows: first, (i) revenue generated by the imposition of such tax on delivery services in the Northern Virginia Transportation District shall be distributed to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and (ii) all other revenues generated by the imposition of such tax on delivery services shall be distributed to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. Of the remaining revenues, (a) 60 percent shall be distributed to localities on the basis of school-age population and (b) 40 percent shall be distributed to localities on the basis of the high-need student population in the locality. The bill clarifies that a high-need student population includes students who are (1) automatically certified for free school meals because of participation in social services programs, (2) participants in a program of special education, or (3) English language learners. The bill provides certain exemptions to the sales and use tax on services, including health care services that must be performed by a person licensed or certified by the Department of Health Professions, veterinary services, professional services, internet access services, and services provided by a person who does not receive more than $2,500 per year in gross receipts for performance of such services. The bill exempts services purchased by a nonprofit organization and services purchased by a homeowners' association or by a landlord for the benefit of his tenant. The bill also repeals the service exemptions currently provided for the sale of custom programs and modification of prewritten programs. Finally, the bill exempts food purchased for human consumption and essential personal hygiene products from all state, local, and regional sales taxes on and after July 1, 2026. Under current law, food purchased for human consumption and essential personal hygiene products are subject only to the one percent local option sales tax.
School boards and independent contractors; applicants for employment involving direct contact with children in public schools; employment history review. Requires each school board and each independent contractor that provides services in any public elementary or secondary school in the Commonwealth to (i) require each applicant for employment whose position will involve direct contact with children, as that term is defined in the bill, in a public elementary or secondary school in the Commonwealth to provide (a) the address and telephone number of and other any other relevant contact information for the applicant's current employer and any former employer that employed the applicant in a position that involved direct contact with children and (b) a written, signed statement as to whether the applicant has (1) been the subject of an investigation and finding or adjudication of abuse or sexual misconduct, as that term is defined in the bill, by any employer, state licensing agency, law-enforcement agency, or child protective services agency or (2) been disciplined, discharged, nonrenewed, asked to resign, or otherwise separated from employment or had a professional license or certificate suspended, surrendered, or revoked while such an investigation was pending or due to such a finding or adjudication and (ii) request, from each such employer, confirmation of the dates of the applicant's employment and a written statement as to the veracity of the applicant's abovementioned statement, to the best of such employer's knowledge. The bill requires each such employer to respond no later than 20 days after receipt of such a request. The bill permits any school board or independent contractor to use any information received pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) to evaluate an applicant's fitness to be hired and to consider an applicant's provision of false information or willful failure to disclose information to be grounds for declining to further consider such applicant for employment.
School boards and independent contractors; applicants for employment involving direct contact with children in public schools; employment history review. Requires each school board and each independent contractor that provides services in any public elementary or secondary school in the Commonwealth to (i) require each applicant for employment whose position will involve direct contact with children, as that term is defined in the bill, in a public elementary or secondary school in the Commonwealth to provide (a) the address and telephone number of and other any other relevant contact information for the applicant's current employer and any former employer that employed the applicant in a position that involved direct contact with children and (b) a written, signed statement as to whether the applicant has (1) been the subject of an investigation and finding or adjudication of abuse or sexual misconduct, as that term is defined in the bill, by any employer, state licensing agency, law-enforcement agency, or child protective services agency or (2) been disciplined, discharged, nonrenewed, asked to resign, or otherwise separated from employment or had a professional license or certificate suspended, surrendered, or revoked while such an investigation was pending or due to such a finding or adjudication and (ii) request, from each such employer, confirmation of the dates of the applicant's employment and a written statement as to the veracity of the applicant's abovementioned statement, to the best of such employer's knowledge. The bill requires each such employer to respond no later than 20 days after receipt of such a request. The bill permits any school board or independent contractor to use any information received pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) to evaluate an applicant's fitness to be hired and to consider an applicant's provision of false information or willful failure to disclose information to be grounds for declining to further consider such applicant for employment.
Department of Wildlife Resources; permits; use of dogs in hunting game animals, fur-bearing animals, and nuisance species; civil penalties. Directs the Department of Wildlife Resources to establish a permit for persons and a permit for organizations that hunt game animals, fur-bearing animals, or nuisance species with the aid of dogs and makes it unlawful for any person to (i) release a dog to hunt, pursue, or chase any game animal, fur-bearing animal, or nuisance species on any tract of real property or (ii) engage in hunting for any game animal, fur-bearing animal, or nuisance species with the aid of any dog unless such person has been issued a permit to hunt with dogs by the Department. The bill exempts from permitting requirements any person or organization (a) engaged in mounted fox hunting or hunting waterfowl, migratory birds, or upland game birds; (b) using a tracking dog to retrieve a wounded or dead bear, turkey, or deer; (c) whose dog remains in the immediate visual presence and control of such person or organization; or (d) on public lands where hunting is allowed. Finally the bill subjects any person who violates the provisions of the bill to a civil penalty of no more than $50 for a first violation and no less than $100 but no more than $250 for a second or subsequent violation within three years.
Department of Wildlife Resources; permits; use of dogs in hunting game animals, fur-bearing animals, and nuisance species; civil penalties. Directs the Department of Wildlife Resources to establish a permit for persons and a permit for organizations that hunt game animals, fur-bearing animals, or nuisance species with the aid of dogs and makes it unlawful for any person to (i) release a dog to hunt, pursue, or chase any game animal, fur-bearing animal, or nuisance species on any tract of real property or (ii) engage in hunting for any game animal, fur-bearing animal, or nuisance species with the aid of any dog unless such person has been issued a permit to hunt with dogs by the Department. The bill exempts from permitting requirements any person or organization (a) engaged in mounted fox hunting or hunting waterfowl, migratory birds, or upland game birds; (b) using a tracking dog to retrieve a wounded or dead bear, turkey, or deer; (c) whose dog remains in the immediate visual presence and control of such person or organization; or (d) on public lands where hunting is allowed. Finally the bill subjects any person who violates the provisions of the bill to a civil penalty of no more than $50 for a first violation and no less than $100 but no more than $250 for a second or subsequent violation within three years.
