Rep. Mark Earley

Maddy summarySJ 369 is a symbolic resolution commending children of the Shenandoah Valley for their contributions. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, funding, or regulations. The bill simply expresses formal recognition through a resolution passed unanimously by both the Senate and House. It directly affects no individuals or groups beyond the ceremonial acknowledgment. This is a procedural, non-binding expression of appreciation with no concrete policy changes.

Real property tax; exemptions for disabled veterans and surviving spouses; driveways. Clarifies that any driveway used to access land otherwise exempt from real property taxes as being owned by a veteran who has a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability shall also be exempt from such taxation. The bill also clarifies that any driveway used to access land otherwise exempt from real property taxes due to being owned by a surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces who died in the line of duty shall be similarly exempt from real property taxes.

Future in Focus Program. Establishes the Future in Focus Program to provide services and support to individuals 21, 22, and 23 years of age who participated in the Fostering Futures program immediately prior to attaining 21 years of age. Such services and support shall be designed to assist participants in transitioning to adulthood, becoming self-sufficient, and creating permanent, positive relationships. The bill directs the State Board of Social Services to promulgate regulations to implement the bill's provisions.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late state legislator Frank Miller Ruff, Jr. It does not create new laws or affect any policies or people. The resolution formally commemorates his service and life through a symbolic tribute. As a non-binding resolution, it has no practical impact beyond recognition.

Abortion; born alive infant; treatment and care; penalty. Requires every health care provider licensed by the Board of Medicine who attempts to terminate a pregnancy to (i) exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of a human infant who has been born alive following such attempt as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age and (ii) take all reasonable steps to ensure the immediate transfer of the human infant who has been born alive to a hospital for further medical care. A health care provider who fails to comply with the requirements of the bill is guilty of a Class 4 felony and may be subject to disciplinary action by the Board. The bill also requires every hospital licensed by the Department of Health to establish a protocol for the treatment and care of a human infant who has been born alive following an attempt to terminate a pregnancy and for the immediate reporting to law enforcement of any failure to provide such required treatment and care.

Voter registration; automatic registration of hunting, fishing, and milk distributor license and concealed handgun permit applicants; penalty. Provides for automatic voter registration by the clerk of any circuit court of the Commonwealth, the Department of Wildlife Resources, and the Milk Commission upon the application for any hunting, fishing, or milk distributor license or Virginia resident concealed handgun permit.

State employee leave; attending health care with certain veterans. Allows a state employee to take up to 24 hours of paid leave per month in any calendar year to attend medical appointments or procedures at a Veterans Affairs hospital, center, or other facility or installation with an eligible parent who is a veteran and has a serious health condition, as those terms are defined in the bill. Prior to taking such leave, a state employee must demonstrate that he is eligible to take leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act for such purpose and must provide sufficient documentation of the medical appointment. The bill directs the Department of Human Resource Management to develop personnel policies providing for the use of such leave.

Constitutional amendment (first reference); personal property tax; exemption for motor vehicles owned for personal, noncommercial use. Requires the General Assembly to exempt from personal property taxes motor vehicles owned by an individual for personal, noncommercial use, provided that for the first year following the effective date of such law, the exemption shall be equal to 20 percent of the tax rate imposed by a locality on tangible personal property, and shall increase by an additional 20 percent of such rate for each year thereafter until such time that the exemption is equal to 100 percent. For purposes of the exemption, "motor vehicle" includes only automobiles, pickup trucks, and motorcycles. The amendment provides that the exemption is applicable on the date the motor vehicle is acquired or the effective date of the amendment, whichever is later, but is not applicable for any period of time prior to the effective date.

Absentee voting; absentee voting in person; available beginning 10 days prior to primary election. Limits the availability of absentee voting in person in a primary election to 10 days before the election. Under current law, absentee voting in person is available beginning 45 days prior to any election, including primary elections.

Transfer of certain incarcerated persons to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Requires the Director of the Department of Corrections, sheriff, or other official in charge of the correctional facility in which an alien is incarcerated, upon receipt of a detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to transfer custody of the alien to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement no more than five days prior to the date that he would otherwise be released from custody.