Del. Rod Willett

Constitutional amendment (first reference); marriage between two individuals; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; affirmative right to marry. Repeals the constitutional provision defining marriage as only a union between one man and one woman as well as the related provisions that are no longer valid as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015). The amendment provides that the right to marry is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of persons and prohibits the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions from denying the issuance of a marriage license to two parties contemplating a lawful marriage on the basis of the sex, gender, or race of such parties. The Commonwealth and its political subdivisions are required to recognize any lawful marriage between two parties and to treat such marriages equally under the law, regardless of the sex, gender, or race of such parties. The amendment provides that religious organizations and clergy acting in their religious capacity have the right to refuse to perform any marriage.

Trespass with an unmanned aircraft system; contracted defense facility; penalty. Creates a Class 4 felony for any person who knowingly, intentionally, and without authorization causes an unmanned aircraft system to enter the property of and obtains or attempts to obtain any videographic or still image that contains or reveals any controlled technical information located within a contracted defense facility, as those terms are defined in the bill. The bill also provides that the owner or operator of a contracted defense facility and its employees shall be immune from criminal prosecution and civil liability as a result of preventing, stopping, deterring, interrupting, or repelling, or attempting to prevent, stop, deter, interrupt, or repel, an unmanned aircraft system from entering the property of such contracted defense facility or from stopping, interrupting, or repelling, or attempting to stop, interrupt, or repel, an unmanned aircraft system that has entered such property, provided that such action does not result in injury to any person. This bill is identical to SB 757.

Barrier crimes; peer recovery specialists; screening requirements. Modifies the barrier crimes screening assessment requirements for peer recovery specialists applying for employment with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, an employer licensed by the Department, or a community services board to require that such specialists have completed all prison or jail terms, been free of parole or probation for at least five years, have no pending charges in any locality, and not be under probation or parole supervision in order to be eligible for a screening assessment. Under current law, an applicant must also have paid all fines, restitution, and court costs for any prior convictions.

Optometry; TPA-Formulary; TPA-Formulary Committee; dissolution. Dissolves the TPA-Formulary and the TPA-Formulary Committee. The TPA-Formulary is the list of the therapeutic pharmaceutical agents that a TPA-certified optometrist may prescribe. The TPA-Formulary Committee provides recommendations to the Board of Pharmacy regarding the therapeutic pharmaceutical agents to include on the TPA-Formulary for the treatment of diseases and abnormal conditions of the eye and its adnexa by TPA-certified optometrists. This bill is identical to SB 1081.

Department of Medical Assistance Services; state plan for medical assistance services; dental care services for pregnant women; report. Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to amend the state plan for medical assistance services to include a provision for payment for comprehensive dental care services for pregnant women. The bill requires the Department to report to the Governor and General Assembly annually on the implementation and outcomes of the provision, and requires the first such report to be submitted by November 1, 2026.

Constitutional amendment; fundamental right to reproductive freedom (first reference). Provides that every individual has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom and that such right shall not be, directly or indirectly, denied, burdened, or infringed upon unless justified by a compelling state interest, as defined in the amendment, and achieved by the least restrictive means. The amendment specifies that, notwithstanding the other provisions of amendment, the Commonwealth may regulate the provision of abortion care in the third trimester, provided that in no circumstance shall the Commonwealth prohibit an abortion (i) that in the professional judgment of a physician is medically indicated to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant individual or (ii) when in the professional judgment of a physician the fetus is not viable.

Maddy summaryHJ 649 is a symbolic legislative resolution honoring Stewart Hamilton Gamage. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, programs, or individuals. The bill passed both the House and Senate in early 2025 as a commemorative gesture. It has no binding effect and serves only to recognize the individual's life.

Maddy summaryHJ 630 is a ceremonial resolution celebrating the life of Bonnie Sue Neighbour. It does not create new policies, alter laws, or affect any specific group or individual through legislative action. The resolution serves as a formal expression of remembrance by the legislature. It passed both the House and Senate in early 2025 and was signed into law as a symbolic gesture. This is a procedural bill with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HJ 644) is a joint resolution commending the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia for its work in supporting individuals recovering from substance use disorders. It formally recognizes the organization's contributions to community health and recovery efforts in Virginia. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding policy impact or direct effect on laws or regulations. The measure passed both chambers of the General Assembly with voice votes in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHJ 626 is a joint resolution celebrating the life of Benjamin Pollard Alsop Warthen. It passed both the House and Senate in early 2025 and serves as a symbolic tribute with no binding policy changes or direct impact on constituents. This procedural resolution does not alter laws or affect any individuals or groups beyond commemorating the named individual.