Rep. Michael P. Mullin

SNAP benefits program; inmates of state or local correctional facilities. Requires the Department of Social Services(the Department) to establish a process that (i) allows inmatesof state or local correctional facilities to submit within 45 daysof the inmate's expected release date an application to participatein the SNAP benefits program and (ii) enables eligible inmates toreceive SNAP benefits immediately upon release. The bill requiresthe Department to distribute to the Department of Corrections andthe Board of Local and Regional Jails information regarding suchprocess and certain other information described in the bill. Thebill has a delayed effective date of October 1, 2023.

Misuse of power of attorney; financial exploitation; incapacitated adults; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for an agent under a power of attorney to knowingly or intentionally engage in financial exploitation of an incapacitated adult who is the principal of that agent. The bill also provides that the agent's authority terminates upon such conviction. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia Criminal Justice Conference. This bill is identical to SB 124.

Commission to Study Slavery and Subsequent DeJure and De Facto Racial and Economic Discrimination Against AfricanAmericans; expiration. Extends from July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2024,the expiration of the Commission to Study Slavery and Subsequent DeJure and De Facto Racial and Economic Discrimination Against AfricanAmericans. The bill also provides for the nonlegislative citizen membersof the Commission to continue to serve for the duration of the extension.This bill is identical to SB 151.

Credit for time spent in confinement while awaiting trial; separate, dismissed, or nolle prosequi charges. Provides that credit for time spent in confinement while awaiting trial shall include any time spent in pretrial confinement or detention on separate, dismissed, or nolle prosequi charges that are from the same act as the violation for which the person is convicted and sentenced to a term of confinement. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia Criminal Justice Conference.

Virginia Literacy Act; early student literacy; evidence-based literacy instruction; science-based reading research. Makes several changes relating to early student literacy, including requiring (i) each education preparation program offered by a public institution of higher education or private institution of higher education or alternative certification program that provides training for any individual seeking initial licensure with an endorsement in a certain area, including as a reading specialist, to demonstrate mastery of science-based reading research and evidence-based literacy instruction, as such terms are defined in the bill; (ii) the literacy assessment required of individuals seeking initial teacher licensure with endorsements in certain areas to include a rigorous test of science-based reading research and evidence-based literacy instruction; (iii) each local school board to establish a divisionwide literacy plan; (iv) each local school board to employ one reading specialist for each 550 students in kindergarten through grade three; and (v) each local school board to provide a program of literacy instruction whereby, among other things, (a) the program provides reading intervention services to students in kindergarten through grade three who demonstrate deficiencies based on their individual performance on the Standards of Learning reading assessment or an early literacy screener provided or approved by the Department of Education; (b) a reading specialist, in collaboration with the teacher of any student who receives such reading intervention services, develops, oversees implementation of, and monitors student progress on a student reading plan; and (c) each student who receives such reading intervention services is assessed utilizing either the early literacy screener provided or approved by the Department or the grade-level reading Standards of Learning assessment again at the end of that school year. The provisions of the bill become effective beginning with the 2024–2025 school year. This bill is identical to SB 616.

Abuse and neglect; financial exploitation;incapacitated adults; penalties. Changes the term "incapacitatedadult" to "vulnerable adult" for the purposes of the crime of abuseand neglect of such adults and defines "vulnerable adult" as any person18 years of age or older who is impaired by reason of mental illness,intellectual or developmental disability, physical illness or disability,advanced age, or other causes to the extent the adult lacks sufficientunderstanding or capacity to make, communicate, or carry out reasonabledecisions concerning his well-being or has one or more limitationsthat substantially impair the adult's ability to independently providefor his daily needs or safeguard his person, property, or legal interests.The bill adds the definition of "advanced age" as it is used in the definition of "vulnerable adult" to mean 65 years of age or older. The bill also changes the term "person with mental incapacity" tothe same meaning of "vulnerable adult" for the purposes of the crimeof financial exploitation. This bill is a recommendation of the VirginiaCriminal Justice Conference.

Virginia Black, Indigenous, and People of ColorHistoric Preservation Fund established. Establishes the VirginiaBlack, Indigenous, and People of Color Historic Preservation Fundfor the purpose of awarding grants to eligible state-recognized andfederally recognized Indian tribes, private nonprofit organizations,and localities for the eligible costs of acquiring land or permanentprotective interest therein, and of undertaking preservation activitieson such land, that is of cultural or historic significance to Black,indigenous, or people of color communities. The bill provides thatland or interests acquired with grant funds shall grant the Boardof Historic Resources or other holder a perpetual preservation interestin the property. This bill is identical to SB 158.