Del. Patrick Hope

Public school teachers; continuing contract; resignation. Declares a public school teacher employed after completing the probationary period to be entitled to a continuing contract whereby the contract continues in effect for the ensuing year in conformity with local salary stipulations, including increments, provided, however, that such teacher may be dismissed for any cause set forth in relevant law and in accordance with the procedures set forth in relevant law. Current law declares any such teacher to be entitled to such a continuing contract during good behavior and competent service. The bill requires a public school teacher who seeks to resign from a continuing contract (i) for the ensuing school year to give written notice of such resignation on or before June 15 of the current school year or (ii) in effect for the current school year or for the ensuing school year after June 15 of the current school year to request release from the contract at least two weeks in advance of intended date of resignation and requires such request to be in writing and to set forth the cause of resignation. Current law requires written notice of noncontinuation of a continuing contract by either party to be given by June 15 of each year and permits a teacher to resign after June 15 of any school year with the approval of the local school board or, upon authorization by the school board, with the approval of the division superintendent if the teacher requests release from the contract in writing at least two weeks in advance of the intended date of resignation and sets forth the cause of resignation. The bill also provides that if the school board has not authorized the division superintendent to approve resignations of teachers with continuing contracts, the school board shall decide whether to accept or reject the resignation of such a teacher.

Commending the Spotsylvania American LegionPost 320.

Local correctional facilities; fees. Eliminates certain fees charged to inmates within a local correctional facility, including a fee to defray the costs associated with an inmate's keep, travel and other expenses associated with an inmate's work release employment or participation in an educational or rehabilitative program, and telephone systems. The bill also reduces certain fees charged to inmates within a local correctional facility, providing that the cost of items within a correctional facility's store or commissary shall not exceed 10 percent of the typical market rate for the same goods or services and that the fee associated with electronic visitation and messaging systems shall not exceed the actual costs of establishing and operating such systems. The bill removes provisions that if an inmate is unable to pay in full such fees, the inmate must enter into a deferred or installment payment agreement with the local correctional facility, or that such facility may enter into a contract for collection of such fees with a private entity, a local governing body, or the county or city treasurer. The bill also provides that, upon discharge from a local correctional facility, an inmate shall receive, in the form of a check, electronic transfer, or a debit or other account card, the balance of all accounts maintained by the facility for an inmate's use.

Commending Christine Emily Ross.

Celebrating the life of David R. Carlson.

Commending Thomas Geary, Ph.D.

Commission on Social Media; report. Establishesthe 20-member Commission on Social Media in the legislative branchto study and make recommendations on the impacts and harms to citizenscaused by social media platforms hosting or amplifying content thatincludes threats or suggestions of physical violence or danger towardscitizens, institutions, groups, associations, or physical structuresof the Commonwealth by studying the impact of dangerous and violentrhetoric, threats, harassment, doxing, intimidation, misinformation,disinformation, defamation, and deceptive practices and the impactof certain practices by social media companies such as algorithmicamplification and targeted advertising on citizens. The bill requiresthe Commission to report annually to the General Assembly on itsactivities. The bill provides that the Commission will sunset onJuly 1, 2025.

Commending Robert L. Dandridge, Jr.

Recognition of the Wolf Creek Cherokee Tribeof Virginia. Extends state recognition to the Wolf Creek CherokeeTribe of Virginia within the Commonwealth.

Commending the Osher Lifelong Learning Instituteat George Mason University.