Adds to the list of persons who are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, and duly accredited practitioners of any religious organization or denomination usually referred to as a church; however, the bill exempts such clergy members from the mandatory reporting requirement when the information supporting the suspicion of child abuse or neglect (i) is required by the doctrine of the religious organization or denomination to be kept confidential or (ii) would be subject to the exemptions set forth in § 8.01-400 or 19.2-271.3 if offered as evidence in court. This bill is identical to
Provides that a covered person shall not be required to have exhausted his health carrier's internal appeal process before seeking an external review of an adverse determination regarding coverage of treatment if the treatment is to treat his cancer. The measure provides that a covered person may request an expedited external review if the adverse determination relates to the treatment of a cancer of the covered person. The measure requires health carriers' notices of the right to an external review to notify covered persons of this provision. This bill is identical to
Eliminates the exemptions to Virginia's minimum wage requirements for newsboys, shoe-shine boys, babysitters who work 10 hours or more per week, ushers, doormen, concession attendants, and cashiers in theaters. The measure contains technical amendments. This bill is identical to
Extends the benefits of the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program to the spouse or child of a veteran with at least a 90 percent permanent, service-related disability. Under current law, the spouse or child would be eligible for benefits only if the veteran's disability was incurred during military operations against terrorism, on a peacekeeping mission, as a result of a terrorist act, or in any armed conflict. Under the provisions of the bill, eligibility for stipends from the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Fund is unchanged. This bill is identical to
Eliminates the requirement that extended service contract providers file and maintain a bond or letter of credit with the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). The bill also (i) requires service contracts to include a disclosure advising a purchaser that he may file a complaint with VDACS if an obligor denies or does not honor a promise made in a contract within 60 days after a request; (ii) authorizes the Commissioner of VDACS, upon receiving a complaint regarding such a request, to investigate whether there has been an improper denial or failure of a purchaser's request and require the obligor to rectify or justify any improper denial or failure; and (iii) authorizes the Commissioner to (a) issue a cease and desist order; (b) deny, suspend, or revoke the obligor's registration; or (c) assess a civil penalty if the denial or failure is not rectified or sufficiently justified. The bill includes procedural provisions concerning the Commissioner's powers to deny, revoke, or suspend an obligor's registration. This bill is identical to
Requires educational programs for the governing boards of public institutions of higher education to include presentations relating to (i) board members' primary duty to the citizens of the Commonwealth and (ii) student debt trends.
Requires each local school board to set the school calendar so that the first day students are required to attend school is no earlier than 14 days before Labor Day unless the Board of Education waives such requirement for good cause. Under current law, each local school board is required to set the school calendar so that the first day students are required to attend school is after Labor Day unless the Board of Education waives such requirement for good cause. The bill provides that in each school division in which the school board sets the school calendar so that the first day students are required to attend school is before Labor Day, such school board shall close each school in the school division from the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day through Labor Day. The bill exempts from certain requirements certain school boards that were previously granted good cause waivers by the Board of Education. This bill is identical to
Agreed to by Senate by voice vote
Agreed to by House by voice vote
Agreed to by Senate by voice vote
Agreed to by Senate by voice vote
Clarifies that, except as otherwise provided by law, all appointments and promotions to and tenure in positions in the service of the Commonwealth shall be based solely upon merit and fitness.
