Del. Josh Cole

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.

Claims; Keshawn Clarence Duffy; compensation for wrongful incarceration. Grants relief in an amount to be appropriated to Keshawn Clarence Duffy, who was wrongly convicted of and subsequently incarcerated for two counts of forcible sodomy.

Vitamins, minerals, and food supplements; practice of chiropractic; definition. Amends the definition of "practice of chiropractic" to include recommending or directing patients on the use of vitamins, minerals, or food supplements. The bill also allows a chiropractor to recommend or direct patients on the use of vitamins, minerals, or food supplements, provided that the rationale for such recommendation is (i) documented in a patient's record and (ii) based on a reasonable expectation that the use of such vitamins, minerals, or food supplements will result in a favorable patient outcome, including preventive practices, and that a greater benefit will be achieved than that which can be expected without such use. Under the bill, such chiropractor is not permitted to sell, dispense, or recommend vitamins, minerals, or food supplements for use if such use will negatively impact any of the patient's existing medical conditions. This bill is identical to SB 1015.

Financial institutions; regulation of money transmitters; penalty. Replaces existing state law regulating money transmitters with comprehensive provisions aimed at standardizing the regulation of money transmitters across the 50 states. The bill includes provisions for the licensure of money transmitters, supervision and implementation by the State Corporation Commission, acquisition of control of a licensee, mandatory disclosures, reporting and records requirements, authorized delegates, mandatory disclosures, prudential standards, and enforcement. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026.

Board for Barbers and Cosmetology; employment prohibition exceptions; children 16 years of age or older. Allows children 16 years of age or older to serve in a licensed barbershop or cosmetology salon, provided that (i) the child is an apprentice, (ii) the child is employed in a work-training program as provided by relevant law and in accordance with relevant regulations, or (iii) the child has obtained a cosmetology or barber license from the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology. This bill is identical to SB 1228.

Homeless youth; fees; certain government documents. Provides that when a homeless youth seeks to receive a certified copy of a vital record, including his birth record, or his DMV-issued learner's permit, driver's license, special identification card, or identification privilege card or permit, no fee shall be assessed.

Certain advanced or accelerated mathematics opportunities; policies and criteria for enrollment; data reporting. Requires each school board to develop and adopt a policy that sets forth the criteria for students in grades five through eight to be eligible to enroll in advanced or accelerated mathematics and requires each such policy to provide for (i) the automatic enrollment of certain students in advanced or accelerated mathematics based on Standards of Learning assessment scores, subject to course offerings and availability and the opportunity for parental opt-out; (ii) multiple additional pathways to student enrollment in advanced or accelerated mathematics; and (iii) an annual parental notification relating to mathematics coursework. The bill also requires each school board to report and the Department of Education to post on its website certain data relating to advanced or accelerated mathematics participation and performance.

Maddy summaryHJ 564 is a non-binding resolution honoring the late Honorable Henry Levander Marsh, III, recognizing his contributions to the state. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group, as it is purely commemorative. The resolution passed unanimously in both the House and Senate and was formally adopted by the legislature. This type of resolution serves to acknowledge an individual's legacy without implementing policy changes.

Maddy summaryHJ 600 is a ceremonial resolution commending Christian Tabash for their contributions. It has no policy provisions or direct impact on laws or regulations; it solely serves as a formal expression of appreciation from the legislature. The resolution passed unanimously in both the House and Senate with voice votes. As a procedural measure, it does not affect any constituents or require implementation.