2025 Changes To Virginia’s Laws

Lee County

In Due Course:
2025 Changes to Virginia’s Laws
In Due Course is a selection of legislation passed by the 2025 Regular Session of the General
Assembly that is likely to affect the daily lives of the citizens of Virginia. The following
legislation has been signed by the Governor and for the most part will go into effect on July 1,
2025.
The summaries were prepared by the staff of the Division of Legislative Services. Complete
information on actions of the 2025 Regular Session is available on the Legislative Information
System website.
Topics
Agriculture Gaming Public Education
Alcoholic Beverage Control Health & Health Professions Public Safety
Civil Procedure Higher Education Public Utilities
Commerce Housing Retirement
Consumer Protections Insurance Social Services
Corrections Labor & Employment Special License Plates
Criminal Offenses Landlord & Tenant Act Synthetic Digital Content
Criminal Procedure Local Government Taxation
Domestic Relations Motor Vehicles Traffic Infractions
Agriculture
HB 1844. Baby Food Protection Act; testing and labeling requirements for toxic heavy
metals. Effective January 1, 2026, except where noted in the summary, the law prohibits a
person from selling, distributing, or offering for sale a baby food product that contains certain
toxic heavy metals that exceed the limits established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). The law requires a manufacturer of a baby food product to meet certain testing
requirements and include certain information related to toxic heavy metals on the manufacturer’s
website and on the baby food product. The law requires a consumer to report a baby food
product to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services if the consumer reasonably
believes that the baby food is being sold in the Commonwealth with toxic heavy metals that
“All laws enacted at a regular session, . . .
excluding a general appropriation law,
shall take effect on the first day of July
following the adjournment of the session of the
General Assembly at which it has been enacted.”
Constitution of Virginia, Article IV, Section 13
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exceed the limits established by the FDA. Effective in due course, the law also directs the
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to convene a work group to study and make
recommendations on the current enforcement of laws related to the presence of toxic heavy
metals in baby food products and any further action needed to address the issue of toxic heavy
metals in baby food products. The law requires the work group to report on its findings and
recommendations by the first day of the 2026 Regular Session.
Alcoholic Beverage Control
HB 2058/SB 811. Alcoholic beverage control; delivery of mixed beverages; repeal. The law
clarifies that, under current law, mixed beverage restaurant and limited mixed beverage
restaurant licensees may sell for off-premises consumption or deliver up to two mixed beverages
per meal served, but shall in no event sell for off-premises consumption or deliver more than
four mixed beverages at any one time. The law also provides clarification as to where delivery of
such mixed beverages may be made. The law maintains alcoholic beverage control third-party
delivery licenses by eliminating the repeal of such licenses that is set to go into effect July 1,
2026.
SB 868. Alcoholic beverage control; mixed beverage licensees; prohibition on delivery to
consumer of original bottle of alcoholic beverage; exception. The law adds an exception to
the prohibition on mixed beverage licensees or any agent or employee of such licensees
delivering to a consumer an original bottle of an alcoholic beverage purchased under such license
by allowing the delivery of the entire contents of an original container of spirits for on-premises
or off-premises consumption provided that the (i) container is 16 ounces or less and (ii) alcohol
content is no greater than 15 percent by volume.
Civil Procedure
HB 1730. Civil actions; liability of employer for personal injury or death by wrongful act.
The law provides that in an action for personal injury or death by wrongful act brought by a
vulnerable victim, defined in the law, against an employee, a finding that the employee’s
employer is vicariously liable for such employee’s conduct shall be based on several factors,
including the likelihood of the employee coming into contact with such vulnerable victim and the
employer’s failure to exercise reasonable care over the employee.
Commerce
HB 1725. Medical Debt Protection Act; prohibited practices; penalties. Effective July 1,
2026, the law creates the Medical Debt Protection Act to prohibit a large health care facility or
medical debt buyer, as those terms are defined in the law, from using certain extraordinary
collection actions to collect medical debt or from charging interest or late fees on medical debt
until 90 days following the due date applicable to the final invoice. The law specifies that no
such interest or late fees shall exceed three percent of the amount of such medical debt per
annum. The law provides that a violation of its provisions constitutes a prohibited practice under
the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.
HB 1941/SB 1166. Invasive plant species; retail sales. Effective January 1, 2027, except where
noted in the summary, the law requires, for the retail sale of certain invasive plant species for
outdoor use, a retail establishment to post in a conspicuous manner on the property located in
proximity to each invasive plant signage identifying such plant as invasive, educating consumers
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regarding invasive plant species, and encouraging consumers to ask about alternatives. The law
requires the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services to issue a stop sale order and
mark or tag a plant in a conspicuous manner when an invasive plant is for sale at a retail
establishment without appropriate signage. In such case, the law requires the Commissioner to
give written notice of a finding made to the owner, tenant, or person in charge of such retail
establishment and requires the stop sale order issued to remain in effect until the required
signage is posted. Effective in due course, the law requires the Commissioner to designate the
format, size, and content of such signage no later than October 1, 2025.
SB 1339. Virginia Telephone Privacy Protection Act; telephone solicitations by text
message. Effective January 1, 2026, the law permits an individual receiving a telephone
solicitation via text message to request not to receive telephone solicitations from a telephone
solicitor by replying to such text message with the word “UNSUBSCRIBE” or “STOP.” The law
requires a telephone solicitor in receipt of such request to honor such request for at least 10 years
from the time such request is made.
SB 1371. Gift certificates; fees. The law prohibits the imposition of a dormancy fee, an
inactivity charge or fee, or a service fee with respect to a gift certificate, unless certain
requirements of the law are met.
Consumer Protections
HB 2515/SB 1212. Virginia Consumer Protection Act; prohibited practices; mandatory fees
or surcharges disclosure. The law prohibits a supplier, in connection with a consumer
transaction, from advertising or displaying a price for goods or services without clearly and
conspicuously displaying the total price, which shall include all mandatory fees or surcharges, as
defined in the law. The law specifies the requirements for compliance with its provisions for
certain suppliers and excludes from its provisions (i) certain fees charged by motor vehicle
dealers, as defined in relevant law; (ii) fees charged by electric utilities, natural gas utilities, and
telecommunications service providers, as those terms are defined in relevant law; (iii) certain
costs associated with real estate settlement services; and (iv) the provision of air transportation
by air carriers. The law requires a food delivery platform to (a) at the point when a consumer
views and selects a vendor or items for purchase, include a clear and conspicuous disclosure of
any additional fee or percentage charged, as defined in the law, and (b) after a consumer selects
items for purchase, but prior to checkout, display a subtotal page that itemizes the price of such
selected items and any additional fee or percentage included in the total cost.
SB 754. Virginia Consumer Protection Act; prohibited practices; obtaining, disclosing, etc.,
reproductive or sexual health information without consumer consent. The law provides that
obtaining, disclosing, selling, or disseminating personally identifiable reproductive or sexual
health information, as defined in the law, without the consent of the consumer is a prohibited
practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.
SB 854. Consumer Data Protection Act; social media platforms; responsibilities and
prohibitions related to minors. Effective January 1, 2026, the law requires that any controller
or processor that operates a social media platform shall (i) use commercially reasonable methods,
such as a neutral age screen mechanism, to determine whether a user is a minor younger than 16
years of age and (ii) limit any such minor’s use of such social media platform to one hour per
day, per service or application, and allow a parent to give verifiable parental consent to increase
or decrease the daily time limit.
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Corrections
HB 1589. Powers and duties of Parole Board; voting requirements; meetings. The law
removes various references to postrelease supervision and instead includes such references and
related procedures in the provisions that govern probation so that such procedures, including
revocation hearings, will be overseen and conducted by the sentencing court. The law provides
that except for a public meeting convened for conducting the final deliberation and vote
regarding whether the Parole Board will grant parole to a prisoner, a meeting of the Parole Board
members, regardless of whether such members invite staff or other guests to participate in such
meeting, shall not be deemed a meeting subject to the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of
Information Act.
The law also provides that the final deliberation and vote of whether to grant parole to a person
serving life imprisonment for murder in the first degree shall be attended by four or more
members of the Parole Board, and a decision to grant such person discretionary parole shall
require the concurrence of four or more members present. A final deliberation and vote of
whether to grant parole to a person not sentenced to life imprisonment requires the attendance of
a panel of no fewer than three members of the Parole Board and a concurrence of the majority of
members present for such final deliberation and vote.
HB 2221. Prisoners; Department of Corrections-issued identification; report. Effective July
1, 2026, except where noted in the summary, the law requires that prior to the release or
discharge into the community of any prisoner who has been confined for at least 90 days and
does not possess a government-issued identification card, birth certificate, or social security card,
the Department of Corrections, in conjunction with the Department of Motor Vehicles, the State
Registrar of Vital Records, and any other relevant government agency, shall provide such
prisoner with a certified copy of his birth certificate, his social security card, or a governmentissued identification card, unless such provision of a government-issued identification card is not
possible, in which case, the Department of Corrections shall provide the prisoner with a
Department of Corrections Offender Identification form. The law also specifies what identifying
information must be included on such form and provides that such form shall be verified by the
Department of Corrections and provided to the Department of Motor Vehicles in a secured
format and by a means mutually agreed upon by both and shall serve as proof of identity and
proof of Virginia residency and may serve as proof of legal presence in the United States or
proof of a social security number, if one is available, as required to obtain a government-issued
identification card for the 120 days immediately following the release or discharge of the
prisoner identified on such form. The law also requires the Department of Corrections and the
Department of Motor Vehicles to cooperatively establish procedures for verifying a Department
of Corrections Offender Identification form and all information contained therein and prohibits
the Department of Motor Vehicles from accepting such form if the form or any of the
information contained on the form cannot be verified.
Effective in due course, the law also directs the Department of Corrections, in coordination with
the State Board of Local and Regional Jails, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the State
Registrar of Vital Records, to (i) identify the number of prisoners released with and without
identification cards; (ii) review the processes involved in assisting a prisoner in applying for and
obtaining a government-issued identification card, birth certificate, or social security card; (iii)
identify any obstacles that may interfere with a prisoner obtaining such identification or
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documents prior to such prisoner’s release or discharge; and (iv) issue a report of its findings and
recommendations to the General Assembly no later than November 1, 2025.
HB 2235. Local and regional correctional facilities; treatment of prisoners known to be
pregnant. The law prohibits the use of restraints, defined in the law, on any prisoner of a local or
regional correctional facility who is (i) known to be pregnant or (ii) in postpartum recovery
unless a deputy sheriff or jail officer makes an individualized determination that (a) the prisoner
will harm herself, the fetus, the newborn child, or any other person; (b) the prisoner poses a flight
risk; or (c) the totality of the circumstances creates a serious security risk. Under current law,
such prohibition applies only to state correctional facilities. The law also requires the Department
of Criminal Justice Services to include in the compulsory minimum entry-level training
standards training regarding pregnant prisoners for deputy sheriffs and jail officers who are
employees of local or regional correctional facilities who may have contact with pregnant
prisoners.
Criminal Offenses
HB 1715/SB 939. Mail theft; penalty. The law creates the offense of mail theft, punishable as a
Class 6 felony, for any person who (i) knowingly, willfully, and with the intent to deprive, injure,
damage, or defraud another (a) takes, destroys, hides, or embezzles mail or (b) obtains any mail
by fraud or deception; (ii) buys, receives, conceals, or possesses (a) mail and knows or
reasonably should know that the mail was unlawfully taken or obtained; (b) any key he knows or
reasonably should know is suited to any lock adopted by the United States Postal Service that
provides access to any mail receptacle located in a cluster mailbox unit or other mailbox panel
used for the purpose of centralized mail in any neighborhood, including any condominium or
apartment complex; or (c) a counterfeit device or key designed to provide access to any lock
described in clause (b); or (iii) knowingly, willfully, and with the intent to steal any mail inside
damages, opens, removes, injures, vandalizes, or destroys any mail receptacle.
HB 1726/SB 757. Trespass with an unmanned aircraft system; contracted defense facility;
penalty. The law creates a Class 4 felony for any person who knowingly, intentionally, and
without authorization causes an unmanned aircraft system to enter the property of and obtains or
attempts to obtain any videographic or still image that contains or reveals any controlled
technical information located within a contracted defense facility, as those terms are defined in
the law. The law also provides that the owner or operator of a contracted defense facility and its
employees shall be immune from criminal prosecution and civil liability as a result of
preventing, stopping, deterring, interrupting, or repelling, or attempting to prevent, stop, deter,
interrupt, or repel, an unmanned aircraft system from entering the property of such contracted
defense facility or from stopping, interrupting, or repelling, or attempting to stop, interrupt, or
repel, an unmanned aircraft system that has entered such property, provided that such action does
not result in injury to any person.
HB 1946/SB 1060. Possession, etc., of retail tobacco products and hemp products intended
for smoking by a person younger than 21 years of age; liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor
products license; prohibitions; enforcement. The law prohibits any person younger than 21
years of age from possessing any retail tobacco or hemp product intended for smoking, as those
terms are defined in relevant law, with certain exceptions enumerated in the law. The law
provides that any such product purchased or possessed by a person younger than 21 years of age
(i) shall be deemed contraband and (ii) may be seized by a law-enforcement officer. Any such
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product, the lawful possession of which is not established, seized by such officer shall be
forfeited and disposed of according to the process described in relevant law. The law also
provides that seizure shall be the sole penalty for a violation of such prohibition and that the
provisions of the law shall not preclude prosecution under any other statute.
Further, if a person does not receive a license from the Department of Taxation to sell, deal,
transport, or ship liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor products to retailers in the Commonwealth,
such person is subject to a penalty of $400, in addition to any other applicable taxes or fees. The
law provides that the Department of Taxation is not required pursuant to relevant law to conduct
unannounced investigations of retail tobacco dealers at least once every 24 months to verify that
a retail dealer is not selling retail tobacco products to persons younger than 21 years of age.
Lastly, the law requires the Department of Taxation to convene a work group consisting of the
Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, the Office of the Attorney General, the Virginia State
Police, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to develop an
enforcement program related to the sale of retail tobacco products or hemp products intended for
smoking to individuals younger than 21 years of age. The work group’s findings and
recommendations are to be reported to the Chairs of the House Committees on General Laws and
Appropriations and the Senate Committees on Rehabilitation and Social Services and Finance
and Appropriations no later than November 1, 2025.
HB 2036. Reckless driving; exhibition driving; penalties; emergency. The law, which became
effective on April 2, 2025, expands reckless driving to include exhibition driving, defined in the
law. The law prohibits (i) slowing or stopping traffic for a race or exhibition driving, (ii) riding
as a passenger on the hood or roof of a motor vehicle during a race or exhibition driving, or (iii)
aiding or abetting exhibition driving. The law establishes penalties for violations and establishes
a process for impounding or immobilizing motor vehicles driven by persons arrested for
exhibition driving.
HB 2308/SB 1361. Inhaling drugs or other noxious chemical substances or causing, etc.,
others to do so; sale or distribution of nitrous oxide to persons under 18 prohibited;
penalties. The law prohibits the sale or distribution of a device that is designed or intended to
deliver a gas containing nitrous oxide to persons under 18 years of age with exceptions as
defined in the law. Any person who fails to make diligent inquiry as to whether the person trying
to obtain such a device is 18 years of age or older or sells, distributes, or attempts to sell or
distribute such a device to a person under 18 years of age is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
The law also adds nitrous oxide to the list of noxious chemical substances for which it is
unlawful to deliberately smell or inhale with the intent to become intoxicated, inebriated, excited,
or stupefied or to dull the brain or nervous system, or to deliberately cause another person to do
so.
HB 2657/SB 746. Involuntary manslaughter; certain drug offenses. The law provides that
any person who knowingly, intentionally, and feloniously manufactures, sells, or distributes a
controlled substance knowing that such controlled substance contains a detectable amount of
fentanyl, including its derivatives, isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, and
unintentionally causes the death of another person is guilty of involuntary manslaughter if (i)
such death results from the use of the controlled substance and (ii) such controlled substance is
the proximate cause of the death. The law provides that venue for a prosecution of this crime
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shall lie in the locality where the manufacturing, sale, or distribution of such controlled substance
occurred, where the use of the controlled substance occurred, or where death occurred.
The law also provides that if a person gave or distributed such controlled substance only as an
accommodation to another individual who is not an inmate in a community correctional facility,
local correctional facility, or state correctional facility, or in the custody of an employee thereof,
and not with intent to profit thereby from any consideration received or expected nor to induce
the recipient of the controlled substance to use or become addicted to or dependent upon such
controlled substance, he is not guilty of involuntary manslaughter but is guilty of a Class 6
felony.
HB 2783. Placing Nazi symbol or emblem on certain property with intent to intimidate;
penalty. The law creates a Class 6 felony for any person who, with the intent of intimidating any
person or group of persons, places a Hakenkreuz, hooked cross, or Nazi symbol or emblem,
sometimes referred to as the Nazi swastika, on the private property of another without
permission. The law also makes it a Class 6 felony if such Nazi symbol or emblem is placed on a
highway or other public place in a manner having a direct tendency to place another person in
reasonable fear or apprehension of death or bodily injury. Finally, the law clarifies that such Nazi
symbol or emblem does not include and is distinct from the sacred swastika word and symbol of
peace and prosperity used by Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, or Native American
religions.
SB 986. Assault and battery; sports official; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for a
person to commit a battery against another knowing or having reason to know that such
individual is a sports official, defined in the law, for an entity sponsoring an interscholastic or
intercollegiate sports event or any person performing services as a sports official for a public
entity or a private, nonprofit organization that sponsors an amateur sports event who (i) is
engaged in the performance of his duties or (ii) is on the premises of such event prior to engaging
in his duties or upon conclusion of his duties. The law provides that such person, upon
conviction, may be prohibited from attending any such sports event operated by the entity or
organization that employed such sports official for a period of not less than six months as a term
and condition of such sentence.
Criminal Procedure
HB 1643. Dismissal of certain traffic violations for proof of compliance with law. The law
provides that a court may, in its discretion, dismiss a violation for driving without a license if
such person can prove to the court compliance with the law on or before the court date and
payment of court fees, unless such person was operating a commercial motor vehicle, defined in
relevant law. The law also provides that a court may, in its discretion and where there have been
no prior violations or convictions within the past 10 years, dismiss a person’s violation for
driving while his driver’s license, learner’s permit, or privilege to drive is suspended or revoked if
such person can prove to the court compliance with the law on or before the court date and
payment of court fees, unless such person (i) possesses a commercial driver’s license or
commercial learner’s permit, as those terms are defined in relevant law, or (ii) was operating a
commercial motor vehicle. If there has been a prior violation or violations, the court, in its
discretion, may dismiss or amend the summons or warrant, where proof of substantial
compliance has been provided to the court.
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HB 1661. Deferred or installment payment agreements; minimum payments. The law
provides that if the defendant requests to enter into an installment agreement, the court may offer
installment payments of (i) $25 per month, or a higher amount, depending upon a defendant’s
ability to pay or (ii) less than $25 per month if the defendant is determined to be indigent.
HB 1665. Fines, restitution, forfeiture, penalties, and other costs; criminal and traffic cases;
itemized statement. Effective January 1, 2026, the law requires the clerk of the court, upon
written or electronic request, to provide an itemized statement to any defendant convicted of a
traffic infraction or a violation of any criminal law of the Commonwealth or of any political
subdivision thereof, or found not innocent in the case of a juvenile, who is sentenced to pay a
fine, restitution, forfeiture, or penalty or assessed any other costs in the circuit court or
appropriate district court of his county or city at the time such fine, restitution, forfeiture,
penalty, or other costs are assessed, or within a reasonable time after assessment. The law
requires the clerk to also provide an updated statement of the outstanding balances of any fines,
forfeiture, and penalties, restitution and costs, or payment history upon written or electronic
request of the defendant.
HB 1712/SB 1194. Department of Criminal Justice Services; training curriculum on certain
arrests. The law requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish a training
curriculum for law-enforcement agencies, law-enforcement officers, and special conservators of
the peace on the discretion such officers can exercise regarding certain arrests. The law requires
that such training curriculum be created by July 1, 2027, and include (i) instruction on the scope
and nature of law-enforcement officer discretion in arrest decisions, with particular emphasis on
encounters with individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, including individuals currently
subject to an emergency custody order, a temporary detention order, or an involuntary admission
order, and (ii) instruction on the immediate and long-term effects of arrests on individuals in
need of mental health services due to a mental health crisis, including impacts on treatment
outcomes as identified in substantially accepted peer-reviewed research literature. The law
requires any person employed as a law-enforcement officer prior to July 1, 2027, to review any
course material or course criteria related to such curriculum by January 1, 2028, and any person
employed as a law-enforcement officer on or after July 1, 2027, to review any course material or
course criteria related to such curriculum within one year of his date of hire.
Lastly, the law directs the Criminal Justice Services Board to promulgate regulations pursuant to
relevant law requiring special conservators of the peace to review any course material or course
criteria related to such curriculum established by the law by July 1, 2027. The law requires any
person applying for an initial or renewal registration as a special conservator of the peace on or
after July 1, 2027, to review any course material or course criteria related to such curriculum as
part of his compulsory training standards.
As introduced, this law was a recommendation of the Behavioral Health Commission.
HB 2123. Protective orders in cases of family abuse; maximum time valid. The law provides
that if the court finds, based upon evidence presented, that the respondent has been subject to a
previous permanent protective order in cases of family abuse issued within 10 years, the court
may issue a permanent protective order in a case of family abuse for a specified period of time
up to a maximum of four years. The law further provides that such protective order may be
extended for a period of not longer than two years, regardless of whether such order was initially
issued for a period of time up to a maximum of two years or four years. Current law allows such
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protective orders to be issued for a specified period of time up to a maximum of two years and
extended for a period of time not longer than two years.
HB 2692. Custodial interrogations; false statements to a child prohibited; inauthentic
replica documents. The law prohibits law-enforcement officers from knowingly and
intentionally making false statements about any known material fact, including by use of
inauthentic replica documents, prior to or during a custodial interrogation of a child to secure the
cooperation, confession, or conviction of such child. The law defines “inauthentic replica
documents” as any documents, including computer-generated documents, created by any means,
including artificial intelligence, by a law-enforcement officer or his agent that (i) contain a false
statement, signature, seal, letterhead, or contact information or (ii) materially misrepresent any
fact. The law provides that if a law-enforcement officer knowingly violates such prohibition, any
statements made by such child shall be inadmissible in any delinquency proceeding or criminal
proceeding against such child, unless the attorney for the Commonwealth proves by a
preponderance of the evidence that the statement was made knowingly, intelligently, and
voluntarily.
HB 2723/SB 1466. Criminal records; expungement and sealing of records. The law amends
numerous statutes related to the expungement and sealing of criminal records that are scheduled
to become effective on July 1, 2025. In addition, the law requires (i) the Department of State
Police to develop a secure portal by October 1, 2026, for the purpose of allowing government
agencies to determine whether a record has been sealed prior to responding to a request pursuant
to current law; (ii) the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission to (a) educate and provide support
to public defenders and certified court-appointed counsel on expungement and sealing, (b)
conduct trainings on expungement and sealing across the Commonwealth, (c) develop a library
of resources on expungement and sealing for use by public defenders and court-appointed
counsel, and (d) post information regarding expungement and sealing for use by the public on its
website; and (iii) the Department of State Police, Department of Motor Vehicles, Office of the
Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, and clerk of any circuit court to provide
data and information on sealing upon request of the Virginia State Crime Commission for
purposes of monitoring and evaluating the implementation and impact of the sealing processes.
The law also directs (1) the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia
to collect data related to petitions filed pursuant to relevant law, (2) the Virginia State Crime
Commission to analyze data and information collected on automatic and petition sealing and
report to the General Assembly by the first day of the 2026 Regular Session, and (3) the Virginia
State Crime Commission to continue its study on the sealing of criminal records and report its
work to the General Assembly by the first day of the 2026 Regular Session.
The law repeals the Sealing Fee Fund and directs any money in such Fund to be reverted to the
general fund. The law contains a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026, for the provisions related
to the sealing of former possession of marijuana offenses without entry of a court order and the
sealing of charges and convictions related to automatic sealing and such petitions. Lastly, the law
delays the repeal of the relevant law related to marijuana possession, limits on dissemination of
criminal history record information, and prohibited practices by employers, educational
institutions, and state and local governments until July 1, 2026. As introduced, this law was a
recommendation of the Virginia State Crime Commission.
SB 1006. Driving while intoxicated; pre-conviction ignition interlock for certain offenders.
The law permits a first-time or second-time offender charged with driving while intoxicated to
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obtain an ignition interlock pre-conviction. The law allows the installation period of time accrued
by such offender prior to trial for the pending charge to count toward any (i) ignition interlock or
restricted license period of time ordered by the court or (ii) restricted license, suspension, or
revocation issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to relevant law. Current law
prohibits the installation of an ignition interlock system until a court issues a restricted license.
As introduced, this law was a recommendation of the Commission on the Virginia Alcohol
Safety Action Program.
Domestic Relations
SB 805. Determination of child support. The law updates the amounts in the schedule of basic
child support obligations based upon gross monthly income and calculates such obligations for
specific amounts up to a gross monthly income of $42,500. Under current law, such child
support obligations are calculated up to a gross monthly income of $35,000. The law also directs
the Child Support Guidelines Review Panel, in collaboration with the Division of Child Support
Enforcement, to examine the current outstanding amount of child support arrearages and make
recommendations to the General Assembly about measures the General Assembly can consider
regarding (i) helping child support obligors pay outstanding arrearages and (ii) whether existing
penalties that place restrictions on such obligors’ drivers licenses or other professional
restrictions unnecessarily impair the obligor’s ability to repay outstanding child support
arrearages and to report its conclusions to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees for
Courts of Justice by November 15, 2025.
Gaming
HB 2493. Gaming; fantasy contests; age restrictions. The law increases from 18 years of age
to 21 years of age the minimum age an individual must be to participate in fantasy contests.
Health & Health Professions
HB 1614/SB 1418. Department of Medical Assistance Services; state plan for medical
assistance services; postpartum doula care; report. The law directs the Department of
Medical Assistance Services to amend the state plan for medical assistance services to include a
provision for payment for up to 10 doula visits, with up to four doula visits during pregnancy and
up to six doula visits during the 12 months after the individual gives birth. The law requires the
Department to report to the Governor and General Assembly annually on the implementation and
outcomes of the provision, and requires the first such report to be submitted by December 31,
2026.
HB 1782. Newborn screening requirements; federal Recommended Uniform Screening
Panel; evaluation; rulemaking; report. The law directs the Department of Health (the
Department) to determine whether testing for disorders included on the federal Recommended
Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) recommended by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services should be included in the Commonwealth’s newborn screening
requirements. The law directs the Department to evaluate disorders included on the RUSP within
12 months of their addition to the RUSP and commence rulemaking procedures for adding such
disorders to the Commonwealth’s screening program if their inclusion is appropriate. The law
also requires the Department to determine annually whether disorders not included in the
Commonwealth’s newborn screening program should be reevaluated for inclusion. The law
requires the Department to submit a status report to the General Assembly annually containing
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information on the disorders included, evaluated, not recommended for inclusion, and not
recommended for reevaluation. The law contains an enactment clause requiring the Department
to conduct such evaluation and, if applicable, commence rulemaking procedures for the addition
of disorders within 12 months of the effective date of the law for any disorders that are listed on
the RUSP as of January 1, 2025.
HB 1904. Department of Health; coverage for nursery services; certified nurse midwives;
licensed certified midwives; pediatric nurse practitioners. The law directs the Department of
Health to amend its regulations on coverage for nursery services to (i) allow certified nurse
midwives, licensed certified midwives, or pediatric nurse practitioners with pediatric privileges
and a neonatal resuscitation certification from the American Academy of Pediatrics, including
endotracheal intubation training, to be on the 24-hour on-call duty roster for nursery care if a
physician is not available and (ii) permit physicians to provide consultation via telehealth when a
certified nurse midwife, licensed certified midwife, or pediatric nurse practitioner is providing
coverage for the 24-hour on-call duty roster and a physician is incapable of arriving on site
within 30 minutes of notification.
HB 1918. Women’s Menstrual Health Program established; provision of education,
training, and information. The law directs the Commissioner of Health to establish the
Women’s Menstrual Health Program within the Department of Health. The law directs the
Department, in administering the Program, to provide (i) education and training concerning
menstrual health, menstrual health screening, and menstrual health care to health care providers,
hospital staff who encounter patients in emergency situations, and the public and (ii) on the
Department’s website, clinical practice guidelines for health care providers related to menstrual
disorders and educational materials for health care providers and the public concerning menstrual
disorders.
HB 2198. Prescribed pediatric extended care centers; licensure; regulation. Effective July 1,
2026, the law authorizes the State Board of Health to license prescribed pediatric extended care
centers, defined as nonresidential health care service centers that provide a link in the continuum
of care for medically dependent or technologically dependent children. The law establishes the
scope of services offered by such centers and requirements for operation, management, staffing,
facilities, and maintenance and directs the Board to promulgate emergency regulations to
implement the provisions of the law.
HB 2253/SB 1383. Nursing homes; sanctions; civil penalty. The law establishes procedures
for the implementation of sanctions by the State Health Commissioner on any nursing home that
is licensed pursuant to the laws regulating medical care facilities and services. The law specifies
the forms of sanctions that the Commissioner may impose, the nursing home’s continued
responsibility for persons under its care, the use of funds remunerated in accordance with such
sanctions, the process for the imposition of such sanctions, and the Commissioner’s ability to
revoke such nursing home’s license. The law specifies that sanctions shall not be imposed on a
nursing home that is sanctioned by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
HB 2610/SB 875. Department of Medical Assistance Services; state pharmacy benefits
manager; independent evaluation. The law requires the Department of Medical Assistance
Services, by July 1, 2026, to select and contract with a third-party administrator to serve as the
state pharmacy benefits manager to administer all pharmacy benefits for Medicaid recipients,
including recipients enrolled in a managed care organization. The law enumerates requirements
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for the Department’s contract with the state pharmacy benefits manager. In addition, the law
directs the Department to engage an independent consultant to evaluate the implementation of a
contract with a third-party pharmacy benefits manager pursuant to the law.
SB 1384. Childbirth; postpartum process. The law requires health care facilities providing
services related to labor and childbirth to develop policies to (i) allow every birthing person to
have a companion or doula with the person during birth in addition to a partner or spouse; (ii) at
the discretion of the treating physician, allow every birthing person to have a companion or doula
with the person during birth when a partner or spouse is not permitted to be present; (iii)
prioritize newborns bonding with their families in order to facilitate the postpartum process; (iv)
prohibit excluding from care any person giving birth or prohibit interrupting the process of birth
without the informed consent of the birthing person; (v) detail the facility’s process related to
receiving a pregnant person’s patient information from any provider who has provided care for
the pregnant person; (vi) establish processes to transfer and receive pregnant persons across
levels of care of licensed facilities within the facility’s capacity and capability; and (vii) establish
a process to receive individuals who are pregnant, giving birth, or in the postpartum process from
locations other than licensed facilities.
Higher Education
HB 2548/SB 953. Certain practical nursing programs; common curriculum; transferability
to registered nursing programs; pathway of stackable credentials. Effective July 1, 2026,
except where noted in this summary, the law requires the Virginia Community College System,
in consultation with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the Board of Nursing,
and representatives from associate-degree-granting public institutions of higher education that
offer nursing programs, to develop a common curriculum for practical nursing programs that
shall be implemented at each comprehensive community college in the System that offers a
practical nursing program. The law requires such common curriculum, to the extent possible, to
(i) align with the degree requirements for registered nursing programs offered at associatedegree-granting public institutions of higher education and (ii) be transferable to each registered
nursing program offered at an associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education.
The law requires each associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education that offers
a registered nursing degree program to participate in a practical nursing program to registered
nursing program transfer agreement with the System that aligns with the practical nursing
program common curriculum established pursuant to the law and permits any private institution
of higher education that offers a registered nursing degree program to be consulted regarding and
participate on a voluntary basis in such a transfer agreement. Effective in due course, the law (a)
requires the System to establish a pathway of stackable nursing credentials that consists of a
practical nursing to associate registered nursing to bachelor of science in nursing program
pathway; (b) directs the System to develop and implement the common curriculum for practical
nursing programs by July 1, 2026; and (c) directs the System to submit a progress report to the
chairs of the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Education
by December 1, 2025.
Housing
HB 2415/SB 1221. Public housing authorities; indigent parties; unlawful detainer. The law
exempts indigent defendants from having to post an appeal bond in unlawful detainer actions
brought by a public housing authority. The law also amends certain provisions of the Virginia
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Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to (i) prohibit any landlord that is a public housing
authority from requiring a tenant to pay any fees for the maintenance or repair of a dwelling unit
unless such repair is necessitated by the tenant’s action or omission and (ii) require, if a public
housing authority issues a notice of nonpayment of rent to a tenant, such public housing authority
to provide the tenant certain information printed on pink or orange paper explaining how the
tenant may recertify the tenant’s income in accordance with federal law and policy.
Insurance
HB 1828/SB 1436. Health insurance; cost sharing for breast examinations. The law prohibits
health insurance carriers from imposing cost sharing for diagnostic breast examinations and
supplemental breast examinations, as those terms are defined in the law, under certain insurance
policies, subscription contracts, and health care plans delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed
in the Commonwealth on and after January 1, 2026. The law provides that such examinations
include examinations using diagnostic mammography, breast magnetic resonance imaging, or
breast ultrasound. As introduced, this law was a recommendation of the Health Insurance
Reform Commission.
HB 2097/SB 1314. Health insurance; coverage requirements for prostate cancer screenings.
The law updates existing mandated coverage requirements for prostate cancer screenings to
reflect updated tests and guidelines from the American Cancer Society while also removing
certain references to American Cancer Society Guidelines. Updated coverage requirements apply
to health care coverage companies, the health care coverage plan for state employees, and the
state plan for medical assistance services. The law’s provisions apply only to contracts, policies,
or plans delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in the Commonwealth on or after January 1,
2026. As introduced, this law was a recommendation of the Health Insurance Reform
Commission.
Labor & Employment
HB 1766/SB 1056. Unemployment compensation; increase weekly benefit amounts; report.
The law provides that, for unemployment compensation claims effective on or after January 1,
2026, an eligible individual’s weekly benefit amount shall be $52 higher than the current weekly
benefit amount, as denoted in the table in the printed law. The law directs the Commission on
Unemployment Compensation, in consultation with the Virginia Employment Commission, to
convene a work group to study making annual adjustments to individual weekly benefit amounts
based on the average weekly wage. As introduced, this law was a recommendation of the
Commission on Unemployment Compensation.
HB 2401/SB 998. Child labor; child engaged in the work of content creation; trust account.
The law requires that a child under the age of 16 who meets certain criteria specified in the law
to be considered a child engaged in the work of content creation be compensated by the content
creator, defined in the law, whose video content includes such child’s likeness, name, or
photograph. The law requires the content creator to set aside gross earnings on the video content
that includes the likeness, name, or photograph of the child in a trust account to be preserved for
the benefit of the child upon attaining 18 years of age or having been declared emancipated. The
law also requires the content creator to maintain certain records specified in the law and provide
them to the child and the holder of the trust account on an ongoing basis. The law also allows the
child, or his parent or guardian on behalf of such child, to commence a civil action if the content
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creator fails to maintain the required records and to enforce the provisions of law related to the
trust account.
SB 1218. Labor and employment; covenants not to compete prohibited; exceptions; civil
penalty. The law provides that, for the purposes of the prohibition in existing law against an
employer entering into, enforcing, or threatening to enforce a covenant not to compete with any
low-wage employee, “low-wage employee” includes an employee who, regardless of average
weekly earnings, is entitled to overtime compensation under federal law for any hours worked in
excess of 40 hours in any one workweek. Any employer that violates the law’s provisions is
subject to a civil penalty in existing law of $10,000 for each violation.
Landlord & Tenant Act
HB 1867/SB 1043. Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; terms and conditions of
rental agreement; renewal notice. The law provides that a landlord who owns more than four
rental dwelling units or more than a 10 percent interest in more than four rental dwelling units,
whether individually or through a business entity, in the Commonwealth shall be required to
provide written notice of nonrenewal to any tenant.
HB 2218/SB 1356. Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; rental payment methods.
The law prohibits a landlord subject to the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act from
charging a tenant any fee for the collection or processing of any payment of rent, security
deposit, or any other fees, unless the landlord offers an alternative method of payment that does
not include additional fees.
Local Government
HB 2533. Local comprehensive plan; tiny homes; accessory dwelling units. The law clarifies
that the comprehensive plan prepared by a local planning commission and adopted by a local
governing body may include the use of tiny homes and accessory dwelling units, defined in the
bill, as part of any residential development and use designated within such plan. The law
contains technical amendments.
HB 2660. Subdivision ordinance; local approvals; report. The law shortens the timeframes
for various local government approvals of subdivision plats and site plans. Additionally, the law
calls on the Virginia Code Commission to convene a work group consisting of various
stakeholders to review existing provisions related to the submission, review, and approval of
subdivision plats and site plans. The work group shall develop recommendations to (i) organize
procedural steps in a clear, logical, and sequential order to enhance ease of reference; (ii) clarify
the processes, requirements, and timelines applicable to each type of plat or plan; (iii)
standardize terminology to ensure consistency, reduce ambiguity, and minimize
misinterpretation; and (iv) identify and eliminate redundant or duplicative provisions to
streamline the Code and improve its usability and shall submit a report to the General Assembly
by November 1, 2025.
SB 974. Subdivision ordinance; plan review by designated agent. The law removes planning
commission and governing body approval authority for the administrative review process for
plats and plans and assigns such authority solely to a designated agent, defined in the law.
However, the law provides that the local planning commission may serve as the designated agent
of any locality with a population of 5,000 or less. The law also expedites the review process by
shortening the timeframe for forwarding plats and plans to state agencies for review.
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SB 1267. Zoning; enhanced civil penalties; certain residential violations. The law allows
enhanced civil penalties for zoning violations involving property that is zoned or used for
multifamily residential purposes. The law also requires that for any violation involving property
that is zoned or used for multifamily residential purposes, a person who admits liability shall be
required to abate or remedy the violation within a period of time specified by the locality that is
no less than 30 days but no more than 24 months from the date of admission of liability.
SB 1476. Sale of certain vacant and blighted or derelict property. The law allows a locality
where certain vacant and blighted or derelict property is located to petition the circuit court to
appoint a special commissioner to execute the necessary deed or deeds to convey the real estate,
in lieu of a sale at public auction, to the locality, to the locality’s land bank entity, or to an
existing nonprofit entity designated by the locality to carry out the functions of a land bank. The
law provides that the locality shall require any purchaser by covenants in the deed or other
security instrument to (i) begin repair or renovation of the property within six months of
purchase and (ii) complete all repairs or renovations necessary to bring the property into
compliance with the local building code within a period not to exceed two years of the purchase.
Motor Vehicles
HB 2116. Driver’s licenses and identification cards; indication of non-apparent disability.
The law adds non-apparent disabilities, defined in the law, to the list of conditions that the
Department of Motor Vehicles, when requested by an applicant and upon presentation of a
signed statement by a licensed physician confirming the applicant’s condition, is required to
indicate on such applicant’s driver’s license. Such requirement is also extended to identification
cards. Such an indication on a person’s driver’s license allows for the voluntary indication of a
disability that can impair communication on a motor vehicle registration.
HB 2423. Department of Motor Vehicles; incorrect vehicle title or registration address. The
law authorizes the owner or lessee of any real property in the Commonwealth to notify the
Department of Motor Vehicles if the address of the real property is used for the titling or
registration of a vehicle that does not belong to any owner, lessee, or resident of the real
property. The law requires the Department to (i) attempt to notify the vehicle owner of such
report and (ii) conduct a search of the National Change of Address System and provides that if
the Department is unable to identify the correct address for the vehicle, the Department may
revoke the registration, registration card, license plates, and decals issued for the vehicle.
HB 2458. Vehicles used for agricultural purposes. The law provides that trailers and
semitrailers used for certain agricultural purposes may be operated without tail lights or brake
lights on the highways of the Commonwealth, except in Planning District 8 (Northern Virginia),
that are not interstate highways between sunrise and sunset, provided that such trailer or
semitrailer has affixed to the rear end either (i) two or more reflectors of a type approved by the
Superintendent of State Police or (ii) at least 100 square inches of solid reflectorized material.
The law requires such a trailer or semitrailer operated without tail lights or brake lights to keep to
the rightmost lane, except when turning at an intersection or avoiding any hazard. The law also
prohibits the operation of such a trailer or semitrailer operated without tail lights or brake lights
whenever (a) certain conditions reducing visibility are present or (b) windshield wipers are in use
as a result of fog, rain, sleet, or snow.
HB 2501. Department of Motor Vehicles; driver communication improvement program.
The law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to develop and implement a program for the
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promotion, printing, and distribution of envelopes for use by drivers diagnosed with autism
spectrum disorder, as that term is defined in relevant law, to provide to a law-enforcement officer
for the purpose of easing communication during a traffic stop or upon such law-enforcement
officer’s arrival at the scene of a traffic accident.
SB 1332. Charges for towing and storage of certain vehicles. The law increases the maximum
hookup and initial towing fee of a passenger car from $150 to $210.
Public Education
HB 1626/SB 822. Public elementary and secondary school teachers; certain training
activities; requirements and limitations. The law prohibits any public elementary or secondary
school teacher from being required to participate in any non-academic training activity, as that
term is defined in the law, more frequently than once within six months of employment with the
applicable school board and once every five years thereafter, except in the case of certain
training relating to secure mandatory test violations upon determination by the school board or
division superintendent that additional training is necessary. The law also provides that the total
frequency and duration of non-academic training activities in which each such teacher is required
to participate pursuant to state law or regulation or policy or regulation of the applicable school
board shall not exceed 25 hours every five years.
Public elementary and secondary schools; nutritional standards for
school meals and other foods; nutrition requirements; certain color additives prohibited.
The law prohibits any public elementary or secondary school from offering or making available
to any student any food served as a part of a school meal or any competitive food, as defined in
applicable law, that contains any of the seven color additives listed in the law. The law directs
the Board of Education to amend its nutritional guidelines for competitive foods promulgated
pursuant to relevant law in accordance with the provisions of the law.
HB 1957. Board of Education; Standards of Learning assessments and related student
assessment methods; assessment development, implementation, and administration reform.
Effective July 1, 2026, except for certain provisions subject to reenactment or where otherwise
noted in this summary, the law modifies provisions relating to assessment methods for
determining the level of achievement of the Standards of Learning objectives by all students,
including (i) requirements relating to assessment administration aimed at maximizing
instructional time and optimizing time used for assessment administration; (ii) criteria and
guidelines for the structure and content of Standards of Learning assessments and alternative
assessments developed by local school boards, including criteria for the types of assessment
items that shall be included; (iii) provisions relating to eligibility and timelines for students to
retake assessments; and (iv) the scoring of Standards of Learning assessments and related
assessments, including a requirement that all such assessments be scored on a 100-point scale.
The law contains a provision exempting from the requirement that all end-of-course assessments
be administered no earlier than two weeks prior to the last day of the school year any
assessments administered as a part of a competency-based assessment system. The law requires
the Board of Education to provide any teacher who participates in the scoring of Standards of
Learning assessments professional development points toward renewal of his license for the time
spent scoring such assessments. The law also requires, effective in due course, the Board of
Education to develop and make available to each school board certain templates and guidelines
relating to assessment content and structure and assessment scoring.
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HB 1961/SB 738. Public elementary and secondary schools; student cell phone possession
and use policies; development and implementation. The law directs each school board to
develop and each public elementary and secondary school to implement policies relating to the
possession and use of cell phones and smart devices by students on school property from bell to
bell, as defined in the law, and requires such policies, among other things, to (i) restrict student
cell phone and smart device possession and use on school property from bell to bell and (ii)
permit any student, pursuant to an Individualized Education Plan, Section 504 Plan,
individualized health care plan, or Limited English Proficiency plan, to possess and use a cell
phone or smart device on school property, including in the classroom, from bell to bell to
monitor or address a health concern or as an accommodation or assistive technology support.
HB 2774/SB 1240. School-connected student overdoses; policies relating to parental
notification. The law requires public school principals and heads of private schools in the
Commonwealth to report certain information to the parents of enrolled students within 24 hours
of a confirmed or suspected school-connected student overdose, as defined in the law.
SB 1320. Public middle and high school students; interscholastic athletics; preparticipation
physical evaluations; form; timeline. The law prohibits middle or high school students from
participating in or trying out for any interscholastic athletic team unless such student has
submitted a signed Preparticipation Physical Evaluation form from certain licensed providers
attesting that the student received a physical examination and was found fit for athletic
competition no more than 14 calendar months prior to the date on which such form was signed.
Public Safety
HB 1815/SB 1142. Line of Duty Act; campus police officers; private police officers. The law
provides employees of contributing nonprofit private institutions of higher education and
contributing private police departments, as those terms are defined in the law, with the benefits
granted to employees of participating employers under the Line of Duty Act. The law clarifies
that the Line of Duty Act shall not apply to any (i) private institution of higher education that is
not a contributing nonprofit private institution of higher education or (ii) private police
department that is not a contributing private police department. The law requires each
contributing nonprofit private institution of higher education and contributing private police
department to pay its pro rata share of the initial costs to implement the law, as determined by
the Virginia Retirement System.
HB 2725. Surveillance technology reporting by state and local law-enforcement agencies
and sheriff’s departments. The law adds any third-party service or third-party subscription that
allows access to any form of surveillance technology or the data therefrom to the list of what is
included in the definition of surveillance technology used in the provisions requiring all state and
local law-enforcement agencies and sheriff’s departments to annually provide to the Department
of Criminal Justice Services a list of all surveillance technologies used, accessed, or procured by
such agencies and departments. The law specifies that such list of surveillance technologies shall
include (i) all surveillance technologies used, accessed, or procured where the agency or
department is the owner, user, or licensee and (ii) all surveillance technologies used or accessed
where the owner or licensee is a separate law-enforcement agency, sheriff’s department,
government agency or department, or private business, entity, or individual. The law also
clarifies that the Department shall provide such information to the Virginia State Crime
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Commission and the Joint Commission on Technology and Science by December 1 of each year.
This law is a recommendation of the Virginia State Crime Commission.
Public Utilities
HB 2621. Phase I Utilities; securitized asset costs. The law authorizes Appalachian Power to
petition the State Corporation Commission for a financing order for securitized asset costs, as
defined in the law. The law creates the securitized asset cost charge and provides that the
revenues generated by this charge, known as securitized asset cost property, are a property right
that can be transferred and pledged as security for the securitized asset cost bonds. The law
establishes the procedures for creating, perfecting, and enforcing the security interest in
securitized asset cost property.
The law also prohibits rate increases for Appalachian Power during the months of November
through February and prohibits rate adjustment clauses from taking effect on customer laws
between the months of November through February. The law prohibits Appalachian Power from
charging a residential customer any interest or late fees between July 1, 2025, and December 31,
2025, and from charging a residential customer any reconnection fees between July 1, 2025, and
March 1, 2026. The law also provides that in any rate proceeding for Appalachian Power, the
State Corporation Commission shall include an invitation for public comment.
HB 2711/SB 850. Water utilities and wastewater utilities; eligible infrastructure
replacement and enhancement; cost recovery. The law permits a water or wastewater utility to
petition the State Corporation Commission for the approval of an eligible infrastructure
replacement and enhancement plan, as defined in the law. The law requires that a water or
wastewater utility that receives approval for an eligible infrastructure replacement and
enhancement rider shall provide a proposed earnings test for informational purposes in each
annual informational filing or base rate proceeding filed with the State Corporation Commission
before December 1, 2030. The provisions of the law expire on July 1, 2035. As introduced, this
law was a recommendation of the State Water Commission.
Retirement
SB 950. Virginia Retirement System; service retirement allowance for certain judges. The
law provides that judges appointed or elected to an original term commencing on or after July 1,
2026, shall have their service retirement allowance determined under Plan 2. The law also
provides that the service retirement allowance for service rendered on or after July 1, 2026, by
judges appointed or elected to an original term commencing on or after January 1, 2014, shall be
determined under Plan 2.
Social Services
HB 1617. Homeless youth; fees; certain government documents. The law provides that when
a homeless youth seeks to receive a certified copy of a vital record, including his birth record, or
his DMV-issued learner’s permit, driver’s license, special identification card, or identification
privilege card or permit, no fee shall be assessed.
HB 1777/SB 1406. Office of the Children’s Ombudsman; foster youth’s right to receive
information. The law requires the Department of Social Services or a local department of social
services, a children’s residential facility, or any child-placing agency to provide certain
information along with the contact information for the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman to a
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biological parent, prospective adoptive parent, or foster parent, as well as to any child in foster
care age 12 or older upon the opening of a foster care case for such child. The law also provides
that, in relation to complaints made to the Ombudsman, if such child is the complainant, the
Ombudsman need not gain the consent of the Department or local department of social services,
the children’s residential facility, the child-placing agency, or the foster parent or guardian of the
child or other person having custody or care of the child to receive information from or
communicate with the child.
HB 2610/SB 875. Department of Medical Assistance Services; state pharmacy benefits
manager; independent evaluation. The law requires the Department of Medical Assistance
Services, by July 1, 2026, to select and contract with a third-party administrator to serve as the
state pharmacy benefits manager to administer all pharmacy benefits for Medicaid recipients,
including recipients enrolled in a managed care organization. The law enumerates requirements
for the Department’s contract with the state pharmacy benefits manager. In addition, the law
directs the Department to engage an independent consultant to evaluate the implementation of a
contract with a third-party pharmacy benefits manager pursuant to the law.
SB 1153. Department of Social Services; assisted living facilities; appointment of receiver;
emergency. The law, which became effective on April 2, 2025, specifies the circumstances
under which the Commissioner of Social Services may petition the court to appoint a receiver for
an assisted living facility, which is permitted under current law, and describes the procedures to
be followed (i) for the filing of such petition and (ii) when a receivership has been established.
Special License Plates
The issuance of revenue-sharing special license plates for supporters of the Social Butterflies
Foundation bearing the legend LUPUS AWARENESS is authorized. (HB 1722)
The provisions related to revenue-sharing special license plates for supporters of the Washington
Redskins have been updated to reflect the new team name, the Washington Commanders. The
law directs the revenue from such license plates to be paid to the Washington Commanders
Foundation instead of the Washington Redskins Leadership Council. The law allows such
license plates issued prior to July 1, 2025, to be used until their expiration and renewed. (HB
2721)
Information on obtaining special license plates is available at any DMV office or online at
www.dmv.virginia.gov.
Synthetic Digital Content
HB 2124/SB 1053. Synthetic digital content; penalty; work group. The law directs the
Attorney General to convene a work group to study and make recommendations on the current
enforcement of laws related to the use of synthetic digital content, including deepfakes, and any
further action needed to address the issue of such use in fraudulent acts. The following
substantive provisions of the law do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2026 Session
of the General Assembly: the law (i) expands the applicability of provisions related to
defamation, slander, and libel to include synthetic digital content, defined in the law; (ii) makes it
a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to use any synthetic digital content for the purpose of
committing any criminal offense involving fraud, constituting a separate and distinct offense
with punishment separate and apart from any punishment received for the commission of the
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primary criminal offense; and (iii) authorizes the individual depicted in the synthetic digital
content to bring a civil action against the person who violates such prohibition to recover actual
damages, reasonable attorney fees, and such other relief as the court determines to be
appropriate.
Taxation
HB 1868. Real property tax exemption; surviving spouses of members of the armed forces
who died in the line of duty; clarification for deaths resulting from suicide. The law clarifies
that the real property tax exemption currently available to the surviving spouse of any member of
the armed forces of the United States who died in the line of duty with a Line of Duty
determination from the U.S. Department of Defense includes the death of any such member that
was the result of suicide.
HB 2029/SB 816. Real property tax; exemption for elderly and disabled individuals. The
law revises various provisions of the local real property tax exemption and deferral program for
elderly and disabled individuals. The law allows a locality to require that an individual (i) pay all
delinquent taxes, penalties, and interest assessed by the locality and incurred prior to becoming
eligible for an exemption or deferral; (ii) enter into an installment agreement with the locality for
the payment of all such delinquent amounts in installments over a period that is reasonable under
the circumstances, but that in no event shall exceed 72 months; (iii) submit and obtain the
treasurer’s agreement to an offer in compromise with respect to all amounts of delinquent taxes,
penalties, and interest; or (iv) carry out a combination thereof. Additionally, the law provides
that notice of the terms and conditions of the exemption and deferral program may be included in
any notice of change in assessment and that the treasurer shall post such information on the
locality’s website. Finally, the law allows a locality to provide a prorated exemption or deferral
for the portion of the taxable year during which the taxpayer would have qualified for such
exemption or deferral but had not yet filed an application.
HB 2595/SB 1389. Firearm safety device tax credit; definitions. The law redefines an
“eligible transaction” for purposes of the firearm safety device tax credit as one in which a
taxpayer purchases one or more firearm safety devices from a commercial retailer, as defined in
the law. Current law defines “eligible transaction” as one in which a taxpayer purchases one or
more firearm safety devices from a federally licensed dealer. The provisions of the law apply to
taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2025.
Traffic Infractions
HB 2096. Intelligent Speed Assistance Program established; penalty. Effective July 1, 2026,
the law establishes the Intelligent Speed Assistance Program to be administered by the
Commission on the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program. The law authorizes enrollment in
such Program as an alternative to suspending a person’s driver’s license upon such person’s
conviction of certain speed-related offenses. The law requires a court to order enrollment in such
Program for a person convicted of reckless driving and who was found to have been driving in
excess of 100 miles per hour, unless the court has otherwise ordered the suspension of such
person’s driver’s license. The law requires the Commissioner of the Department of Motor
Vehicles to provide the option in a written notice for enrollment in such Program instead of
license suspension for a person who has accumulated certain amounts of demerit points, and if
such person does not respond to such notice within 30 days, the law requires such suspension of
his license. The law requires any person enrolled in the Program to enter into and successfully
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complete the Program and install an intelligent speed assistance system, defined in the law, in
any motor vehicle owned by or registered to the participant and prohibits such person from
driving any motor vehicle that does not have such a system installed. The law creates a Class 1
misdemeanor for tampering with or attempting to bypass or circumvent such a system. The law
provides that any person who enters into the Program prior to trial may pre-qualify with the
Program to have an intelligent speed assistance system installed on any motor vehicle owned or
operated by him and that the court may consider such pre-qualification and installation.
HB 2475. Use of safety belt systems. The law requires all adult passengers in a motor vehicle
equipped with a safety belt system to wear such safety belt system when the motor vehicle is in
motion on a public highway. Current law requires adult passengers to wear such safety belts
when occupying the front seat.
SB 750. Vehicle operation; unlicensed minor; penalty. The law prohibits any person from
knowingly authorizing the operation of a motor vehicle by (i) any person who he knows has no
legal right to do so or (ii) a minor who he knows has no operator’s license or who has a learner’s
permit but who he knows would operate such motor vehicle in violation of certain limitations on
operating a motor vehicle with a learner’s permit. The law provides that any person who violates
such provisions is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor if such violation results in a motor vehicle
accident that causes death or injury to any person, provided that such violation does not
otherwise constitute a felony. Existing law prohibits any person from knowingly authorizing the
operation of a motor vehicle by any person who the authorizing person knows (a) has had his
operator’s license or permit suspended or revoked or (b) has no operator’s license or permit and
has been previously convicted of driving without a license.
SB 1416. Drivers to stop for pedestrians; vulnerable road users; penalties. The law makes it
a traffic infraction if a driver operating a motor vehicle fails to stop for pedestrians and makes it
a Class 1 misdemeanor if such traffic infraction results in the serious bodily injury or death of a
vulnerable road user lawfully crossing a highway.
© 2025 Division of Legislative Services
Published in Richmond, Virginia, by the Division of Legislative Services, an agency of the
General Assembly of Virginia. Contact the Division at 201 North 9th Street, 4th Floor,
Richmond, VA 23219, online at http://dls.virginia.gov, or by phone at 804-698-1810.