Virginia Bills

Clarifies that in the case of a no-fault divorce, waivers of service of process may occur within a reasonable time prior to or after the suit is filed, provided that a copy of the complaint is attached to such waiver, or otherwise provided to the defendant, and the final decree of divorce as proposed by the complainant is signed by the defendant. Where a defendant has waived service of process and, where applicable, notice, the bill further permits depositions to be taken, affidavits to be given, and all papers related to the divorce proceeding to be filed contemporaneously. This bill is identical to

Authorizes financial institution staff to refuse to execute a transaction, to delay a transaction, or to refuse to disburse funds if the financial institution staff (i) believes in good faith that the transaction or disbursement may involve, facilitate, result in, or contribute to the financial exploitation of an aged or incapacitated adult or (ii) makes, or has actual knowledge that another person has made, a report to the local department of social services or adult protective services hotline stating a good faith belief that the transaction or disbursement may involve, facilitate, result in, or contribute to the financial exploitation of an aged or incapacitated adult. This bill incorporates

Requires the independent monitor chosen to facilitate the energy efficiency stakeholder process established for the purpose of providing input and feedback on the development of electric utilities' energy efficiency programs to convene meetings of the participants not less frequently than twice each calendar year between July 1, 2019, and July 1, 2028. The measure also requires the independent monitor's report on the status of the stakeholder process to address (i) the objectives established by the stakeholder group during this process related to programs to be proposed, (ii) recommendations related to programs to be proposed that result from the stakeholder process, and (iii) the status of those recommendations. Current law requires that an annual report be submitted by the utility and does not require that it include such information on the stakeholder process.

Allows the Commissioner of Social Services to issue an order of summary suspension of the license of any child welfare agency when conditions or practices exist that pose an immediate and substantial threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the children receiving care. The bill allows the Commissioner, in issuing an order of summary suspension, to suspend the license of the child welfare agency or to suspend only certain authority of the child welfare agency to operate, including the authority to provide certain services or perform certain functions that the Commissioner determines should be restricted or modified in order to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the children receiving care. The bill establishes notice, hearing, appeal, and posting requirements for such summary suspensions. The bill also amends the summary suspension procedures for licensed assisted living facilities to align such procedures with the summary suspension procedures established in the bill for child welfare agencies.

Provides that the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) shall work with representatives of Carroll and Grayson Counties and the City of Galax, as well as other stakeholders, to develop a plan for the conveyance, sale, or other disposition of the property for the purpose of housing children requiring foster care or as a juvenile residential treatment facility. Any disposition of the property is subject to approval by the General Assembly.

Permits the board of visitors of the University of Virginia to charge reduced rate tuition to any student enrolled at the University of Virginia's College at Wise who resides in the Appalachian Region as defined in relevant federal law, is domiciled in the Appalachian Region, and is entitled to in-state tuition charges at a public institution of higher education in the Appalachian Region provided such entitlement is based on circumstances that when applied to a student who resides in Virginia would result in entitlement to in-state tuition. The bill contains an emergency clause. The bill prohibits the board of visitors from setting such reduced rate below the in-state tuition rate for Virginia students attending the University of Virginia's College at Wise.

Provides that, in the case of a no-fault divorce proceeding, there is a presumption that a party to the case who is the recipient of a state or federally funded public assistance program for the indigent is unable to pay the fees or costs.

Revises the definition of "small employer" for purposes of group health insurance policies to provide that an individual who performs any service for remuneration under a contract of hire for (i) a corporation in which he is a shareholder or an immediate family member of a shareholder, or (ii) a limited liability company in which he is a member, regardless of the number of members of the limited liability company, shall be deemed to be an employee of the corporation or the limited liability company. The measure provides that a health insurance issuer shall not be required to issue more than one group health plan for each employer identification number issued by the Internal Revenue Service for a business entity, without regard to the number of shareholders or members of such business entity.