Del. Patrick Hope

Teacher compensation; at or above national average. Requires public school teachers to be compensated at a rate that is at or above the national average. Under current law, compensation at such rate is aspirational. The foregoing provisions of the bill have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2025. The bill requires funding to be provided on an incremental basis pursuant to the general appropriation act to implement such teacher compensation rate by the effective date.

Study; JLARC; effects of gun violence on communities;report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commissionto study the social, physical, emotional, and economic effects ofgun violence on communities across the Commonwealth.

Mandatory outpatient treatment orders; judicialreview conferences. Extends from 90 days to 180 days the maximumtime period a court may order mandatory outpatient treatment for adults and juveniles. The bill provides that any order for mandatory outpatient treatment may include provisions for periodic reviewsto monitor the person's (i) access to and satisfaction with servicesand supports provided under the treatment plan and (ii) compliancewith the mandatory outpatient order. The district court judge orspecial justice may require attendance at such conferences by theperson, the community services board staff member responsible formonitoring the person's compliance with the order, and such otherpersons as deemed appropriate. If agreed upon by the person and monitoringcommunity services board, the judge or special justice may (a) allowsuch review conferences to be conducted through an electronic videoand audio or telephonic communication system and (b) make adjustmentsto the treatment plan.

Study; Virginia State Crime Commission; mandatoryminimum sentences; report. Requests the Virginia State Crime Commission to study the use and effectiveness of mandatory minimumsentences.

Study; JLARC; special education staffing ratios;report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commissionto include in its current review of the effectiveness of Virginia'sspecial education programs an examination of the prescribed and actualratios of students to special education instructional and supportpersonnel in public elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealthto determine whether any adjustment to such ratios is necessary.

Mandatory outpatient treatment; consent.Eliminates the patient consent requirement for minors age 14 or olderand adults before mandatory outpatient treatment may be ordered butthere is no change in the requirement that a minor's parents mustagree to abide by the minor's treatment plan.

Possession of weapons; Capitol Square and legislative buildings; penalties. Prohibits the possession of a (i) firearmor other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile or projectileof any kind; (ii) frame, receiver, muffler, silencer, missile, projectile,or ammunition designed for use with a dangerous weapon; or (iii) other dangerous weapon, including explosives, stun weapons, or anyweapon currently prohibited from being carried concealed while in(a) the Capitol of Virginia, (b) Capitol Square, (c) any other buildingowned or leased by the Commonwealth and used predominantly for theconduct of the business of the General Assembly, or (d) any otherbuilding where the General Assembly is meeting in session. The prohibitiondoes not apply to law-enforcement officers, authorized security personnel,or active-duty military personnel in the performance of such person'slawful duties. A first offense is punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanorand a second or subsequent offense is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Study; Department of Rail and Public Transportation; Commonwealth Corridor passenger rail service; report. Requeststhe Department of Rail and Public Transportation to study the feasibilityof an east-west Commonwealth Corridor passenger rail service connectingHampton Roads, Richmond, and the New River Valley.

Department of Corrections; hepatitis C antiviral medication. Directs the Department of Corrections to issue a Request for Proposals to pharmaceutical manufacturers for the purchase of an unrestricted five-year supply of hepatitis C antiviral medication and any necessary ancillary services at an annual fixed rate. The bill requires the Department to report to the Governor and the General Assembly by November 30, 2020, and by November 30 during each year of the contract, regarding the status of the contract, whether the contract has lowered the Department's hepatitis C treatment costs, and inmate health outcomes resulting from the contract.

Study; Virginia State Crime Commission; thelow use of geriatric parole; report. Directs the Virginia StateCrime Commission to study the low use of geriatric parole and theappropriate structure for increasing the use of geriatric parole.