Virginia Human Rights Acts; discrimination onthe basis of disability. Adds discrimination on the basis ofdisability as an unlawful employment practice under the VirginiaHuman Rights Act. The bill also requires employers, defined in thebill, to make reasonable accommodation to the known physical and mentalimpairments of an otherwise qualified person with a disability, ifnecessary to assist such person in performing a particular job, unlessthe employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would imposean undue hardship on the employer. The bill also prohibits employersfrom taking any adverse action against an employee who requests oruses a reasonable accommodation, from denying employment or promotionopportunities to an otherwise qualified applicant or employee because such employer will be required to make reasonable accommodation tothe applicant or employee, or from requiring an employee to takeleave if another reasonable accommodation can be provided to the known limitations related to the disability. The bill creates a cause of action against any employer who denies any of the rights to reasonable accommodation afforded by the bill and permits the court or juryto award compensatory damages, back pay, and other equitable relief.
Sponsored bills
Victims of COVID-19 Remembrance Day. DesignatingMarch 14, in 2021 and in each succeeding year, as Victims of COVID-19Remembrance Day in Virginia.
Equal Citizens Month. Designates November,in 2021 and in each succeeding year, as Equal Citizens Month in Virginia.
Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month. DesignatesSeptember, in 2021 and in each succeeding year, as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month in Virginia.
Food and drink permit requirements; regulations. Directs the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services (the Commissioner), after conducting the required inspection, to issue a permit for the operation of any food manufacturer, food storage warehouse, or retail food establishment. The bill prohibits the operation of such manufacturer, warehouse, or establishment without a permit unless the inspection finds no significant health hazard and the business is awaiting receipt of its permit, which shall be processed within 30 days of the inspection. The bill authorizes the Commissioner to deny, suspend, or revoke such permit for certain violations and authorizes the Commissioner to suspend such permit and seek an expedited informal fact-finding proceeding if conditions exist that present a significant and immediate public health hazard.The bill requires the Commissioner to issue a permit to any manufacturer, warehouse, or establishment that is legally operating on July 1, 2021, and has satisfactorily completed its most recent inspection. The bill also authorizes the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services to adopt regulations to administer the permitting process and directs the Commissioner to develop a written appeal process for use when a permit is suspended.
Virginia Redistricting Commission; removal of commissioners; emergency. Provides for the removal of a commissioner from the Virginia Redistricting Commission for neglect of duty or gross misconduct. Removal would require affirmative votes of at least six of the eight legislative commissioners and at least six of the eight citizen commissioners. Such a vote is required to be recorded and taken in a public meeting. The bill contains an emergency clause.
Commending the Virginia National Guard.
Commending Danny TK Avula, M.D.
Commending Valerie Braxton-Williams.
Commending the Loudoun County Office of Electionsand Voter Registration.