Sen. Lamont Bagby

Commending Richard D. Pillow.

Commending Virginia's Crossroads.

Sports betting; mandatory permit issuance tocertain casino operators. Requires the Director of the Virginia Lottery to issue a permit to operate a sports betting platform toa casino operator that meets certain criteria.

Celebrating the life of the Honorable AugustusBenton Chafin, Jr.

Celebrating the life of the Honorable RobertS. Bloxom, Sr.

Drug Treatment Court Act; authorization andavailability. Provides that any jurisdiction or jurisdictionsintending or proposing to establish a drug treatment court shallnot be denied permission under the Code of Virginia to establishsuch court solely on the basis of funding such court. The bill alsoprovides that a drug treatment court shall be available to everydefendant irrespective of the jurisdiction.

Robbery; penalty. Defines "robbery" and creates degrees of punishment corresponding to the severity of arobbery offense. Any person who commits a robbery by causing seriousbodily injury is guilty of robbery in the first degree, which is punishable by confinement in a state correctional facility for a maximum termof life. Any person who commits robbery by displaying a firearm ina threatening manner is guilty of robbery in the second degree, whichis punishable by confinement in a state correctional facility fora maximum term of 20 years. Any person who commits robbery by usingphysical force not resulting in serious bodily injury, or by displayinga deadly weapon other than a firearm in a threatening manner, is guiltyof robbery in the third degree, which is punishable as a Class 5felony. Any person who commits robbery by using threat or intimidationnot involving a deadly weapon is guilty of robbery in the fourthdegree, which is punishable as a Class 6 felony. Under current law,any robbery is punishable by confinement in a state correctionalfacility for life or any term not less than five years.

Constitutional amendment (first resolution);real property tax exemption; affordable housing. Provides thatthe General Assembly may authorize a locality to fully or partiallyexempt affordable housing, as such term may be defined by statute,from real property taxation.

Health insurance; mandated coverage for hearing aids for minors. Requires health insurers, health maintenance organizations, and corporations providing health care coverage subscription contracts to provide coverage for hearing aids and related services for children 18 years of age or younger when a licensed audiologist prescribes such hearing aids and related services. The coverage includes one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear, up to a cost of $1,500, every 24 months. The measure applies to policies, contracts, and plans delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on and after January 1, 2021.

Robbery; penalty. Defines "robbery" andcreates degrees of punishment corresponding to the severity of arobbery offense. Any person who commits a robbery by causing seriousbodily injury is guilty of robbery in the first degree, which ispunishable by confinement in a state correctional facility for amaximum term of life. Any person who commits robbery by displayinga firearm in a threatening manner is guilty of robbery in the second degree, which is punishable by confinement in a state correctionalfacility for a maximum term of 20 years. Any person who commits robberyby using physical force not resulting in serious bodily injury, orby displaying a deadly weapon other than a firearm in a threateningmanner, is guilty of robbery in the third degree, which is punishableas a Class 5 felony. Any person who commits robbery by using threator intimidation not involving a deadly weapon is guilty of robberyin the fourth degree, which is punishable as a Class 6 felony. Undercurrent law, any robbery is punishable by confinement in a statecorrectional facility for life or any term not less than five years.