Del. Debra Gardner

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.

Publication of personal information of retired or former law-enforcement officers. Adds retired or former law-enforcement officers, defined in the bill, to the definition of "public official" for the purposes of prohibiting the Commonwealth from publishing a public official's personal information on the Internet. The bill clarifies that such retired or former law-enforcement officer be in good standing with no pending investigations or disciplinary actions. The bill provides that the demand in writing required to prohibit the publication of such personal information shall be effective for a period of four years, provided that such retired or former law-enforcement officer was retired or ended his service within four years of filing a petition with a circuit court. This bill is identical to SB 781.

Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education; members. Expands from 31 to 32 the minimum number of members of the Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education by adding one representative of the Department of Veterans Services to the nonlegislative citizen members of the Commission. This bill is identical to SB 1391.

Department of Education; survey of local education agencies on school-based mental and behavioral health services; report. Requires the Department of Education (the Department) to survey each local education agency (LEA) in the Commonwealth to determine (i) how public schools governed by such LEA currently grant access to local departments of social services and community services boards and other community-based providers of mental and behavioral health services and (ii) what school-based mental and behavioral health services are made available by such LEA. The bill requires the Department to utilize the results of and feedback from the survey to inform the continued development and improvement of guidelines for school professionals to support students and families by connecting them with community resources that provide mental and behavioral health services. The bill requires the Department to report to the Commission on Youth by November 1, 2025, any findings and recommendations that result from the survey. This bill is identical to SB 768.

Behavioral health services; exchange of medical and mental health information and records; correctional facilities. Permits the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Department of Social Services, and any local department of social services to access medical and mental health information and records for persons committed to any correctional facility for the purposes of providing pre-release services, reentry planning, and post-incarceration placement and services. The bill also authorizes the Department of Medical Assistance Services to access a juvenile's social, medical, psychiatric, and psychological reports and records during pre-release and for up to 30 days following such juvenile's release from commitment for the purposes of providing pre-release services, reentry planning, and post-incarceration placement and services. This bill incorporates HB 2290, HB 2655, and HB 2752 and is identical to SB 870.

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.

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 607 is a ceremonial resolution commending Thomas Heilman for his contributions. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, rights, or individuals. The resolution passed unanimously in both the House (February 10) and Senate (February 13) with voice votes and was formally adopted on March 20, 2025. As a non-binding expression of appreciation, it has no practical impact beyond the formal recognition.