Restricted permits to operate a motor vehicle; ignition interlock systems. Provides that in any criminal case for reckless or improper driving where a defendant's license to operate a motor vehicle, engine, or train is subject to revocation or suspension and the court orders a defendant, as a condition of probation or otherwise, to enter into and successfully complete an alcohol safety action program, the court may issue the defendant a restricted license to operate a motor vehicle where the only restriction is to prohibit the defendant from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with a functioning, certified ignition interlock system for a period of not less than 12 consecutive months without alcohol-related violations of the interlock requirements.
Sponsored bills
Special immigrant juvenile status; jurisdiction. Permits the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court to retain jurisdiction in cases where a child has petitioned the court to makefindings of fact that would allow the child to apply for or receivea state or federal benefit until such child reaches 21 years of agefor the purpose of entering findings of fact or amending past orders,to include findings of fact necessary for the person to petitionthe federal government for status as a special immigrant juvenile.
Reinstatement of certain driving privileges.Directs the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehiclesto reinstate driving privileges, and to waive fees related to thereinstatement, for individuals whose privileges were suspended priorto July 1, 2019, for failure to pay court fines and costs in otherjurisdictions.
Absentee voting; witness signature not required. Repeals the requirement that an absentee ballot be opened in thepresence of a witness and signed by such witness.
Birth certificates; amendments. Provides that, in cases regarding amendments to birth certificates not already set out in the Code of Virginia, an amendment to a birth certificate shall be evaluated by the State Registrar through an administrative process pursuant to regulations as may be adopted by the State Board of Health. The bill requires the State Registrar to establish and publicize an internal process for modifying birth certificates and to make available to the public on its website a standard form a birth certificate made available to the public on its website. The bill also provides that when an applicant requests a change to a vital record that requires a judicial order, the vital record shall not be amended and the State Registrar shall so advise the applicant in a written notice that the applicant has the right to petition the court.
Motor vehicle liability insurance coverage limits. Increases the motor vehicle liability insurance coverage amountsfrom $25,000 to $50,000 in cases of bodily injury to or death ofone person, from $50,000 to $100,000 in cases of bodily injury toor death of more than one person in any one accident, and from $20,000to $40,000 for damage to property of others as a result of any oneaccident. The bill requires that self-insured operators of taxicabsmaintain protection against uninsured and underinsured drivers withthe current limits of $25,000, $50,000, and $20,000, respectively.The bill applies to policies issued or renewed on or after January1, 2022.
Emergency order for adult protective services;acts of violence, force, or threat or financial exploitation; penalty.Allows the circuit court, upon a finding that an incapacitated adulthas been, within a reasonable period of time, subjected to an actof violence, force, or threat or been subjected to financial exploitation,to include in an emergency order for adult protective services oneor more of the following conditions to be imposed on the alleged perpetrator: (i) a prohibition on acts of violence, force, or threator criminal offenses that may result in injury to person or property;(ii) a prohibition on such other contacts by the alleged perpetratorwith the adult or the adult's family or household members as thecourt deems necessary for the health and safety of such persons; or(iii) such other conditions as the court deems necessary to prevent(a) acts of violence, force, or threat; (b) criminal offenses thatmay result in injury to persons or property; (c) communication orother contact of any kind by the alleged perpetrator; or (d) financialexploitation by the alleged perpetrator. The bill provides that anyperson who violates any such condition is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.Also, the bill provides that hearings on emergency orders for adultprotective services shall be held no earlier than 24 hours and nolater than 72 hours after the notice required has been given, unlesssuch notice has been waived by the court. Current law just requiressuch hearing be held no earlier than 24 hours.
State facilities; admission of certain aliens.Repeals the requirements that (i) the Commissioner of BehavioralHealth and Developmental Services determine the nationality of eachperson admitted to a state facility and, if the person is an alien,notify the United States immigration officer in charge of the districtin which the state facility is located and (ii) upon request of theUnited States immigration officer in charge of the district in whicha state facility to which a person who is an alien is admitted islocated or the judge or special justice who certified or orderedthe admission of such alien, the clerk of the court furnish a certifiedcopy of records pertaining to the case of the admitted alien.
Voter registration; preregistration for persons 16 years of age or older. Permits a person who is otherwise qualified to register to vote and is 16 years of age or older, but who will not be 18 years of age on or before the day of the next general election, to preregister to vote. The preregistration does not entitle such person to vote in any election except as already permitted by law. The bill requires the Department of Elections to maintain a record of all preregistered voters in the Virginia voter registration system, which shall automatically register a person who is preregistered upon that person reaching 18 years or age or becoming eligible for advance registration as already permitted by law, whichever comes first. The bill requires the Department to provide to the general registrars voter confirmation documents for such voters. The bill has a delayed effective date of October 1, 2022.
Public institutions of higher education; certain students; financial assistance programs. Provides that students who meet the criteria to be deemed eligible for in-state tuition regardless of their citizenship or immigration status shall be afforded the same educational benefits, including financial assistance programs administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the State Board for Community Colleges, or a public institution of higher education, as any other individual who is eligible for in-state tuition. The bill has a delayed effective date of August 1, 2022, and directs the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, in coordination with institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth, to promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of the bill.