Restorative housing and isolated confinement; restrictions on use. Prohibits the use of isolated confinement, defined in the bill, in state correctional facilities, subject to certain exceptions. The bill requires that before placing an incarcerated person in restorative housing or isolated confinement for his own protection, the facility administrator shall place an incarcerated person in a less-restrictive setting, including by transferring such person to another institution or to a special-purpose housing unit for incarcerated persons who face similar threats. The bill requires that if an incarcerated person is placed in restorative housing or isolated confinement, such placement shall be reviewed every two business days and the facility administrator shall ensure that the incarcerated person receives a medical and mental health evaluation from certified medical and mental health professionals within one working day of placement in restorative housing or any form of isolated confinement. The bill also requires the facility administrator to notify the regional administrator in writing that an incarcerated person was placed in restorative housing or isolated confinement within 24 hours of such placement. Finally, the bill requires that formal reviews of an incarcerated person's placement in any form of isolated confinement shall be held in such person's presence, inform him of any reasons administrative officials believe isolated confinement remains necessary, and give the incarcerated person an opportunity to respond to those reasons, and a formal ruling shall be provided to the incarcerated individual within 24 hours.
Del. Sam Rasoul
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (SJ 129) is a symbolic resolution commending the Virginia Black Restaurant Experience, a cultural initiative celebrating Black-owned restaurants in Virginia. It does not create new laws or affect any legal rights, as it is purely a ceremonial gesture of recognition. The resolution formally honors the contributions of Black restaurateurs and the cultural impact of this experience within the state. It passed both chambers via voice vote but has no binding effect on policy or funding.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill) honoring the late Barnie Keith Day. It formally celebrates his life and contributions, as specified in the title and abstract. The resolution was approved by both the Senate and House in early 2026 and now awaits final enactment. It does not create new laws, change policies, or directly affect any individuals or groups.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJ 120) that formally commends the Virginia Outdoors Foundation for its work. It does not create new laws or affect policy; it is a symbolic gesture recognizing the organization's contributions. The bill passed both chambers via voice vote in early March 2026 and was referred to the Speaker's table for final processing. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct impact on legislation or constituents.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJ 106) commending Curtis Allen for his contributions. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it is solely a formal expression of recognition. The resolution passed unanimously in both the Senate (via voice vote on 2026-02-26) and House (via voice vote on 2026-03-02). It is a non-binding gesture with no practical impact on legislation or constituents.
Board of Education; development of alternative graduation pathways to earn a Standard Diploma; report. Directs the Board of Education to develop alternative graduation pathways to earn a Standard Diploma that are designed to expand opportunities for students to complete the verified credit requirements for the Standard Diploma that do not require achieving a passing score on applicable Standards of Learning assessments. In developing such alternative graduation pathways, the bill directs the Board to (i) consult with and integrate the perspectives of a broad range of relevant stakeholders; (ii) consider alignment with the competencies articulated in the Profile of a Virginia Graduate; (iii) consider certain elements for incorporation into such alternative pathways, including nonassessment demonstrations of competence, alternative assessments that could be used in lieu of or alongside Standards of Learning assessments, and pathway structures or elements designed to encourage hands-on learning and civic engagement; (iv) ensure that any such alternative graduation pathways do not impact or replace the current requirements for earning a Standard Diploma or an Advanced Studies Diploma; (v) ensure at least one alternative pathway is developed that includes a nonassessment demonstration of competence; and (vi) consider next steps for approval and implementation of such alternative graduation pathways. Finally, the bill directs the Board to submit to the Governor and Chairs of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by January 1, 2027, a report detailing the Board's progress in developing alternative graduation pathways to earn a Standard Diploma, in accordance with the provisions of the bill.
Equity in public school funding and staffing; special education students; at-risk students; annual report. Establishes in Standard of Quality 2 the At-Risk Program and a state-supported add-on for special education students and requires corresponding formulas for the funding of such initiatives to be established in the general appropriation act. The bill also requires the Department of Education to report annually to the House Committees on Education and Appropriations and the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and on Education and Health the total and per pupil annual operating expenditures from local, state, and federal sources in each school division and the change in expenditures from each such source over the immediately preceding two-year, three-year, and five-year timeframes, expressed in both dollar amounts and percentages.
Procedure for use of prior conviction as element of offense charged. Establishes a procedure for using a defendant's prior conviction to prove an element of an offense charged or to enhance the punishment for the offense charged.
Public funding for multifamily residential housing; Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; common household pets. Requires any multifamily residential housing development receiving an investment of public funds to allow occupants to own or otherwise maintain within the occupant's dwelling unit at least one common household pet, defined in the bill, without restrictions on breed or weight below 65 pounds. The bill additionally requires any landlord subject to the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to provide a disclosure with any application for a rental agreement containing a written copy of any terms and conditions of the rental agreement regarding an applicant's ability to own or otherwise maintain a common household pet within the dwelling unit. If such landlord maintains a website regarding the property, such terms and conditions shall additionally be published to such website. The provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2027 Session of the General Assembly.
State Corporation Commission; Phase I Utility; 2026 biennial rate review; report. Directs the State Corporation Commission to consider certain requirements in the 2026 review of the rates, terms, and conditions for the provision of generation and distribution services by Appalachian Power. The bill directs the Commission to review the decision by Appalachian Power to satisfy its capacity obligations with the regional transmission entity through a fixed resource requirement alternative. The bill also directs the Commission to conduct a review of Appalachian Power's efforts to improve system efficiency, resilience, and reliability to address rising costs of responding to severe weather events. The bill requires the Commission to submit a report summarizing its review and providing recommendations by September 1, 2027, or to include such report as part of an existing annual report.