Del. Mike Cherry

Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System; emergency dispatchers. Extends membership in the Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System (VaLORS) to emergency dispatchers who are employed by the Department of State Police and agencies whose law-enforcement officers are eligible for membership in VaLORS. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2025, and provides that such membership would apply only to service earned on or after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution formally commends Chief Warrant Officer Five Marvin R. McKenney, Jr., for his distinguished 39-year career in the Virginia National Guard. The document highlights his extensive service as a helicopter pilot and instructor, including deployments to Bosnia and Iraq, and lists the numerous military awards he has received. It concludes by directing the Clerk of the House to present a copy of the resolution to McKenney as an official expression of appreciation for his contributions to the military and the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution commends the Tri-City Chili Peppers, a summer baseball team in Colonial Heights, for successfully launching "Cosmic Baseball" nights. The team created these special events by installing ultraviolet lighting at Shepherd Stadium and using custom reflective equipment, such as neon uniforms and glow-in-the-dark balls, to play games in the dark. The initiative, which began in June 2024, drew significant attention and sold out quickly, earning praise from national media outlets. The House of Delegates formally recognized the team's owner, Chris Martin, and his staff for their innovation and commitment to enhancing the fan experience.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Chesterfield County on the 275th anniversary of its founding by acknowledging its historical significance and contributions to Virginia. The document highlights key milestones in the county's development, such as early settlements, infrastructure projects, and community programs. It directs the House Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to the county's Board of Supervisors as a formal expression of appreciation.

Consumer Data Protection Act; protections for children. Prohibits, subject to a parental consent requirement, a data controller from processing personal data of a known child (i) for the purposes of targeted advertising, the sale of such personal data, or profiling in furtherance of decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects concerning a consumer; (ii) unless such processing is reasonably necessary to provide the online service, product, or feature; (iii) for any processing purpose other than the processing purpose that the controller disclosed at the time such controller collected such personal data or that is reasonably necessary for and compatible with such disclosed purpose; or (iv) for longer than is reasonably necessary to provide the online service, product, or feature. The bill prohibits, subject to a parental consent requirement, a data controller from collecting precise geolocation data from a known child unless (a) such precise geolocation data is reasonably necessary for the controller to provide an online service, product, or feature and, if such data is necessary to provide such online service, product, or feature, such controller shall only collect such data for the time necessary to provide such online service, product, or feature and (b) the controller provides to the known child a signal indicating that such controller is collecting such precise geolocation data, which signal shall be available to such known child for the entire duration of such collection. The bill prohibits a data controller from engaging in the activities described in the bill unless the controller obtains consent from the child's parent or legal guardian in accordance with the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. This bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2025, and is identical to SB 361.

Temporary detention order; alternative transportation. Provides that when a magistrate is determining whether an alternative transportation provider is available for the purposes of designating a transportation provider for the transportation of a person who is the subject of a temporary detention order, an alternative transportation provider shall be deemed available if the provider states that it is available to take custody of the person from law enforcement within six hours of issuance of the temporary detention order or an order changing the transportation provider. The bill also provides that if (i) no alternative transportation provider is available to provide transportation, willing to provide transportation, and able to provide transportation in a safe manner or (ii) the law-enforcement agency elects to provide transportation, the magistrate shall designate the primary law-enforcement agency and jurisdiction designated to execute the temporary detention order to provide transportation of the person. This bill is identical to SB 497.

Virginia Freedom of Information Act; definitions of meetings and public business. Exempts certain public meetings from the definition of "meeting" under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to clarify that three or more members of a public body may appear and participate in such public meeting without violating the Act, provided that no public business is transacted or discussed. The bill also exempts members of a public body who attend a public meeting of a second public body without violating the Act, provided that no public business is transacted or discussed. Finally, the bill defines "public business" as activity that a public body has undertaken or proposed to undertake on behalf of the people it represents. The bill states that its provisions are declarative of existing law. This bill is identical to SB 36.

Barrier crimes; adult substance abuse and mental health services; exception. Permits the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, providers of substance abuse or mental health services to adults, and community services boards and behavioral health authorities to hire applicants convicted of certain barrier crimes of misdemeanor assault and battery or involving controlled substances provided that such conviction occurred more than four years prior to the application date for employment. This bill is identical to SB 626.

Veterans' Services Protection Act; prohibited practices; penalty. Creates the Veterans' Services Protection Act to prohibit any person from receiving compensation for preparing, presenting, prosecuting, advising, consulting, or assisting any individual regarding any veterans' benefits matter, as defined in the bill, except as permitted under federal law. The bill provides that a violation of its provisions constitutes a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

Medical cannabis program; product expiration; confidentiality; penalty. Increases from six months to 12 months the maximum expiration date allowable for a cannabis product after registration absent stability testing. The bill allows pharmaceutical processors to employ as pharmacy technician trainees individuals who have less than one year of experience and allows pharmaceutical processors to employ persons with less than one year of experience to perform certain other supervised duties for which current law requires two years of experience. The bill also provides for the confidentiality of certain records and other information of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority, including the exemption of certain information from the mandatory disclosure provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.