School boards; in-person instruction; Internetaccess; emergency. Requires each school board to make availablein-person instruction to each enrolled student when any residential area in the local school division is not capable of receiving Internetaccess at speeds greater than 10 MBps download speed and one MBpsupload speed. The bill contains an emergency clause.
Immunity from civil claims related to the transmissionof or exposure to the COVID-19 virus and uses of personal protectiveequipment; emergency. Provides immunity to persons, as definedin the bill, from civil causes of action arising from any act oromission alleged to have resulted in the contraction of or exposureto the COVID-19 virus. The bill further provides immunity to personswho design, manufacture, label, or distribute any personal protectiveequipment in response to the COVID-19 virus from any civil causeof action arising out of the use of such equipment. The bill containsan emergency clause, and the immunities provided by such bill expiretwo years after the expiration or revocation of all states of emergencydeclared by the Governor related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Civil action for deprivation of rights by alaw-enforcement officer. Creates a civil action for the deprivationof a person's rights by a law-enforcement officer. The bill providesthat a plaintiff may be awarded compensatory damages, punitive damages,and equitable relief, as well as reasonable attorney fees and costs.Finally, the bill provides that sovereign immunity or any other immunitiesor limitations on liability or damages shall not apply to such actionsand that qualified immunity is not a defense to liability for suchdeprivation of rights.
Eligibility for parole; murder. Providesthat any person convicted of murder where the location of the bodyof the victim is unknown and the Parole Board has probable cause tobelieve that such person convicted has information concerning thelocation of the body is not eligible for parole. The bill containstechnical amendments.
Riots; acts of violence; penalty. Providesthat a person is guilty of a Class 6 felony if a person commits anact of violence during a riot. The bill also increases the penaltyfor carrying a firearm during a riot from a Class 5 felony to a Class4 felony and provides that same punishment for possessing a firearmduring a riot.
Limitation on mandatory minimum punishment.Provides that mandatory minimum punishments shall not apply to anysentence imposed for an offense committed on or after January 1,2021.
Attorney General; criminal cases involving certainfelonies committed by law-enforcement officers. Provides thatthe Attorney General, with the concurrence of the local attorneyfor the Commonwealth, may assist in the prosecution of certain felonyoffenses committed by law-enforcement officers during the performanceof their official duties.
Emergency medical services and equipment atthe site of a riot or unlawful assembly; penalty. Makes it aClass 6 felony for any person to damage the operation of any equipmentor apparatus used for fighting fires or for protecting property orhuman life by a fire company or fire department or any emergencymedical services vehicle at the site of a riot or unlawful assembly.The bill also makes it a Class 6 felony for any person to unreasonablyor unnecessarily obstruct the delivery of emergency medical servicesby emergency medical services agency personnel at the site of a riot or unlawful assembly.
Riots and unlawful assemblies; dangerous weapons;penalty. Provides that (i) a projectile of any kind; (ii) a laser,a laser gun sight, or any device that simulates a laser; (iii) a blunt instrument; or (iv) a shield is a dangerous weapon for the purposesof carrying a dangerous weapon during a riot or unlawful assembly.
Public education; voucher program; emergency.Provides that, if a school operates a reduced schedule and the schooloffers online or virtual learning as a substitute for in-person attendance,it shall deposit a portion of unused funds resulting from the reducedschedule in a voucher account for each student, for use on programsoperated by the school division or other educational options, whetherpublic, private, or parochial.
Celebrating the life of R. Wayne Browning, Sr.
Decertification of law-enforcement officers;acts that compromise integrity or credibility. Requires thesheriff, chief of police, or agency administrator to notify the CriminalJustice Services Board in writing within 48 hours of becoming awarethat any certified law-enforcement or jail officer currently employedby his agency has been placed on a Brady list because such officer committed acts that compromise an officer's credibility, integrity,honesty, or other characteristics that constitute exculpatory orimpeachment evidence in a criminal case. The bill states that, uponreceiving such notice, the Criminal Justice Services Board may decertifysuch law-enforcement or jail officer. The bill also allows the CriminalJustice Services Board to initiate such decertification proceedings.
