Claims; Gilbert Merritt III; compensation for wrongful incarceration. Grants relief in an amount to be appropriated to Gilbert Merritt III, who was wrongly convicted of and subsequently incarcerated for first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Newborn screening requirements; federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel; evaluation; rulemaking; report. Directs the Department of Health (the Department) to determine whether testing for disorders included on the federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) recommended by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services should be included in the Commonwealth's newborn screening requirements. The bill directs the Department to evaluate disorders included on the RUSP within 12 months of their addition to the RUSP and commence rulemaking procedures for adding such disorders to the Commonwealth's screening program if their inclusion is appropriate. The bill also requires the Department to determine annually whether disorders not included in the Commonwealth's newborn screening program should be reevaluated for inclusion. The bill requires the Department to submit a status report to the General Assembly annually containing information on the disorders included, evaluated, not recommended for inclusion, and not recommended for reevaluation. The bill contains an enactment clause requiring the Department to conduct such evaluation and, if applicable, commence rulemaking procedures for the addition of disorders within 12 months of the effective date of the bill for any disorders that are listed on the RUSP as of January 1, 2025.
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 summaryThis is a ceremonial joint resolution honoring Matthew Robert Chiaverotti. It has no policy provisions or direct impact on legislation, citizens, or government operations. The resolution formally celebrates his life and legacy through a symbolic gesture by the legislature. As a commemorative measure, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies.
Maddy summaryHJ 616 is a ceremonial resolution commending Colonel Gary T. Settle for his service. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, programs, or individuals financially or operationally. The resolution formally recognizes his contributions through a non-binding expression of appreciation from the legislature. This procedural bill was passed unanimously by both chambers with no substantive impact beyond the symbolic commendation.
Claims; Marvin Leon Grimm, Jr.; compensation for wrongful incarceration. Grants relief in an amount to be appropriated to Marvin Leon Grimm, Jr., who was wrongly convicted in 1976 of murder, sodomy by force, and abduction with the intent to defile and, as a result of such wrongful conviction, was subjected to 45 years of imprisonment and when released on parole was required to register on the sex offender registry for an additional four years before receiving a writ of actual innocence in 2024.
Office of the Children's Ombudsman; foster youth's right to receive information. Requires the Department of Social Services or a local department of social services, a children's residential facility, or any child-placing agency to provide certain information along with the contact information for the Office of the Children's Ombudsman to a biological parent, prospective adoptive parent, or foster parent, as well as to any child in foster care age 12 or older upon the opening of a foster care case for such child. The bill also provides that, in relation to complaints made to the Ombudsman, if such child is the complainant, the Ombudsman need not gain the consent of the Department or local department of social services, the children's residential facility, the child-placing agency, or the foster parent or guardian of the child or other person having custody or care of the child to receive information from or communicate with the child. This bill is identical to SB 1406.
Compensation for wrongful incarceration; compensation for certain intentional acts. Provides that the instrumentality, political subdivision, or employee responsible for employing the individual who committed an intentional act shall compensate the wrongfully incarcerated individual. Under current law, additional compensation for intentional acts shall not become effective unless and until the wrongfully incarcerated person enters into an agreement with the instrumentality or political subdivision that committed or employed the individual committing the intentional acts to provide such compensation. In the event that the instrumentality or subdivision fails to compensate the individual, the bill authorizes the Governor to issue an order to the Comptroller to withhold all payments of appropriated funds to the instrumentality or political subdivision until such compensation has been paid. The bill also provides that any compensation an individual receives for wrongful registration with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry only applies to the years that the individual was registered after release from incarceration.
Virginia Values Veterans Program; military spouse eligibility. Provides that the comprehensive program developed by the Department of Veterans Services to reduce unemployment among veterans extends to military spouses.
Virginia Student Training Employment Pipeline for U.S. Procurement (STEP UP) Program established. Directs the Department of Education to establish the Virginia Student Training Employment Pipeline for U.S. Procurement (STEP UP) Program for the purpose of facilitating opportunities for any student enrolled in the eleventh or twelfth grade at a public high school in the Commonwealth or enrolled at a comprehensive community college or historically black college or university in the Commonwealth who enters into an agreement with an entity located in the relevant local school division or region that has a procurement contract with the federal government whereby such entity agrees to provide assistance to the student to obtain, prior to graduation, any federal security clearance at the public trust or national security level and any other education, training, or credential that is necessary for the student to be prepared for employment with such entity upon graduation in exchange for a commitment from the student to accept and remain in such an employment position for an agreed-upon period of time after graduation.
