Sen. Bill DeSteph

Pro rata reimbursements for installation ofcertain utilities. Requires localities that adopt subdivisionordinances that permit subdividers or developers to install certain utilities to provide within that ordinance the subdivider's or developer'sentitlement to pro rata reimbursement for costs of such installations.Under current law, localities are permitted to provide such entitlementbut are not required to do so.

Applications for teacher licensure by reciprocity; military spouses; timeline for determination. Requires the Board of Education's licensure regulations to provide for licensure by reciprocity for any spouse of an active duty or reserve member of the Armed Forces of the United States or a member of the Virginia National Guard who has obtained a valid out-of-state license, with full credentials and without deficiencies, that is in force at the time the application for a Virginia license is received by the Department of Education. Current law requires such regulations to provide for licensure by reciprocity for any spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the Commonwealth. The bill requires such an individual to submit an official copy of the military permanent assignment orders of the individual's spouse as part of the complete application packet. The bill requires the Department to determine and communicate such individual's eligibility for licensure by reciprocity within 15 business days of receipt of the complete application packet. This bill is identical to HB 230.

Virginia Retirement System; Line of Duty Act;medical reviews to be conducted by Virginia practitioners. Providesthat, for any medical review of a claim made pursuant to the provisionsof the Line of Duty Act, the Virginia Retirement System shall requirethat such review be conducted by a doctor, nurse, or psychologistwho is licensed in Virginia or a contiguous state. The bill has adelayed effective date of July 1, 2023.

Department of Veterans Services; Mental HealthCare Coordinator; position created; report. Establishes the positionof Mental Health Care Coordinator (the Coordinator) in the Departmentof Veterans Services to support and closely coordinate effectivemental health care services for military service members and veteransand their families. The bill directs the Coordinator to report byDecember 1 of each year through the Commissioner of the Departmentof Veterans Services to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs,the Governor, and the General Assembly on the work of the Coordinatorand any legislative recommendations.

Veteran-owned small businesses; waiving of fees. Directs the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, in conjunction with the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, to examine the waiving of fees associated with permits necessary to establish a small business for veteran-owned small businesses. This bill is identical to HB 358.

Covering a security camera in a correctionalfacility; penalty. Provides that any person, other than a law-enforcementofficer, jail officer, correctional officer, or other custodial officer,who intentionally covers, removes, damages, renders inoperable orotherwise obscures a security camera, as defined in the bill, withoutthe permission of the sheriff, jail superintendent, warden, or Directorof the Department of Corrections or Department of Juvenile Justiceis guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also provides that anyperson who intentionally covers, removes, damages, renders inoperableor otherwise obscures a security camera with the intent of inhibitingor preventing a security camera from recording or transmitting aphotograph, motion picture, or other digital image of the commissionof a felony is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

Charter; City of Virginia Beach. Expands the board of equalization in the City of Virginia Beach from three to four members. This bill is identical to HB 1163.

Vicious dogs. Authorizes a law-enforcement officer or animal control officer to apply to a magistrate for a summons for a vicious dog if such officer is located in either the jurisdiction where the vicious dog resides or in the jurisdiction where the vicious dog committed one of the acts set forth in the definition of a vicious dog. Current law requires such action only if the law-enforcement officer or animal control officer is located in the jurisdiction where the vicious dog resides. The bill also requires any evidentiary hearing or appeal to be held not less than 30 days from the date of the summons or appeal, unless good cause is found by the court.

Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; Board for Contractors; exemption from licensure. Exempts from the "licensure requirements for contractors" any work undertaken by a person providing construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, removal, or demolition valued at $25,000 or less per project on behalf of a properly licensed contractor. Current law provides this exemption to such work valued at $5,000 or less per project.

Virginia Parole Board; monthly reports. Requiresthe Virginia Parole Board (the Board) to publish a statement regardingany action taken by the Board on the parole of a prisoner within30 days of such action and to include in such statement informationregarding the length of sentence and the date such sentence was imposedfor each prisoner considered for parole.