Virginia Bills

Exempts from recordation tax deeds of trust given by utility consumer services cooperatives. This bill is identical to

Provides that when any landowner applies to the governing body for amendments to proffered conditions, direct mail notice shall be given to those directly affected by the amendment.

Provides that arts and cultural districts may be created jointly by two or more localities. This bill is identical to

Increases the maximum permissible fee for any single project encompassed in a contract for architectural or professional engineering services relating to multiple construction projects from $100,000 to $150,000.

Provides that in cases in which a person has executed an advance directive granting an agent the authority to consent to the person's admission to a facility for mental health treatment and the advance directive so authorizes, the person's agent may exercise such authority after a determination that the person is incapable of making an informed decision regarding such admission has been made by (i) the attending physician, (ii) a psychiatrist or licensed clinical psychologist, (iii) a licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner, (iv) a licensed clinical social worker, or (v) a designee of the local community services board as defined in § 37.2-809. The bill also provides that a person's agent may make a health care decision over the protest of the person if, in addition to other factors, at the time the advance directive was made, a licensed physician, licensed clinical psychologist, licensed physician assistant, licensed nurse practitioner, licensed professional counselor, or licensed clinical social worker who is familiar with the person attested in writing that the person was capable of making an informed decision and understood the consequences of the provision. This bill is identical to

Corrects typographical errors and makes other technical amendments relating to the revision and recodification of Title 23 and declares such corrections and amendments to be effective retroactively to October 1, 2016. This bill is a recommendation of the Code Commission.

Includes like rank and experience as a factor in setting the maximum allowable hourly equivalent compensation paid to part-time deputy sheriffs performing like duties of full-time deputy sheriffs.

Eliminates the requirement that a dental hygienist providing dental hygiene services under remote supervision be employed by the supervising dentist; clarifies continuing education requirements for dental hygienists practicing under remote supervision; eliminates the requirement for written permission to treat a patient from a dentist who has treated the patient in the previous 12 months; and allows a dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision to treat a patient who provides verbal confirmation that he does not have a dentist of record whom he is seeing regularly. The bill eliminates the requirement that a dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision consult with the supervising dentist prior to providing further dental hygiene services if the patient is medically compromised or has periodontal disease and allows a dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision to provide further dental hygiene services in accordance with a written practice protocol developed and provided by the supervising dentist, which shall consider, at minimum, the medical complexity of the patient and the presenting signs and symptoms of oral disease. The bill requires a supervising dentist who conducts the examination of the patient or refers the patient to another dentist for examination following the 90-day period during which a dental hygienist is permitted to provide dental hygiene services under remote supervision to develop a diagnosis and treatment plan for the patient. The bill directs the Board of Dentistry to promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of the act within 280 days of its enactment.

Establishes the Virginia Tax Amnesty Program to be administered by the Department of Taxation (the Department) during the 2017-2018 fiscal year for not less than 60 nor more than 75 days, as determined by the Tax Commissioner. The Program will be open to any taxpayer that is required but has failed to file a return or to pay any tax administered by the Department. All civil or criminal penalties assessed or assessable and one-half of the interest assessed or assessable, resulting from nonpayment, underpayment, nonreporting, or underreporting of tax liabilities, will be waived upon payment of the taxes and interest. For purposes of implementing the Program, the Department is exempt from the project management and procurement oversight of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency. This bill is identical to

Requires local departments of social services to collect information during a family assessment to determine whether the mother of a child who was exposed in utero to a controlled substance sought substance abuse counseling or treatment prior to the child's birth. The bill requires mandated reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect to make a report if a finding is made by a health care provider (i) within six weeks following a child's birth that the child was born affected by substance abuse or experiencing withdrawal symptoms resulting from in utero drug exposure; (ii) within four years following a child's birth that the child has an illness, disease, or condition that is attributable to maternal abuse of a controlled substance during pregnancy; or (iii) within four years following a child's birth that the child has a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder attributable to in utero exposure to alcohol. The bill provides that if a local department of social services receives a report or complaint of suspected child abuse or neglect on the basis of one or more of the aforementioned factors, the local department shall (a) conduct a family assessment, unless an investigation is required by law or is necessary to protect the safety of the child, and (b) develop a plan of safe care in accordance with federal law. The bill directs the State Board of Social Services to promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of the bill. This bill is identical to