Sen. Stella Pekarsky

Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; international licensure and certification; regulations. Directs the regulatory boards within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation to promulgate regulations allowing the issuance of a license or certification to any applicant who holds a comparable international license or certification issued by another country. This bill is identical to HB 1940.

Seizure rescue medications; administration by certain school employees; possession by certain students. Permits a prescriber to authorize an employee of (i) a school board, (ii) a school for students with disabilities, (iii) an accredited private school, (iv) a local governing body, or (v) a local health department who is trained in the administration of seizure rescue medications for the treatment of seizures resulting from a condition causing seizures to administer such medications to a student diagnosed with a condition causing seizures when the student is believed to be experiencing or about to experience a seizure pursuant to a written order or standing protocol issued within the course of the prescriber's professional practice and with the consent of the student's parents. The bill provides that any such authorized employee who administers or assists in the administration of such medications to a student diagnosed with a condition causing seizures when the student is believed to be experiencing or about to experience a seizure in accordance with the prescriber's instructions shall not be liable for any civil damages for ordinary negligence in acts or omissions resulting from the rendering of such treatment. The bill also permits any local school board to adopt and implement policies (a) permitting any student enrolled in any elementary or secondary school in the local school division who has a diagnosis of a condition causing seizures to possess seizure rescue medications during the school day, at school-sponsored activities, or while on a school bus or other school property if the student's parent has submitted a seizure management and action plan that includes written consent of the parent and written approval of the student's primary care provider for such self-possession or (b) for the administration of seizure rescue medications to any student enrolled in any elementary or secondary school in the local school division who has a diagnosis of a condition causing seizures, consistent with the provisions of the bill relating to prescriber authorization. This bill is identical to HB 2104.

Virginia Residential Property Disclosure Act; required disclosures for buyer to beware; aircraft noise. Requires that the owner of a residential real property include in the residential property disclosure statement provided to a potential purchaser of such residential real property a statement that the owner makes no representations or warranties with respect to the property's proximity to a public use airport nor any noise from aircraft due to the proximity of the property to flight operations, and purchasers are advised to exercise whatever due diligence they deem necessary to determine whether the property is within proximity to a flight path or public use airport aircraft noise zone. The bill also requires the Department of Aviation to establish and provide to the Real Estate Board by July 31, 2025, a website address that allows purchasers to access public use airport aircraft noise zone maps, and requires the Real Estate Board to include such website address on the form for signature by the parties stating that the purchaser has been advised of the disclosures listed in the residential property disclosure statement. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia Housing Commission. This bill is identical to HB 1706.

Health insurance; carrier contracts; required provisions regarding prior authorization for health care services; work group; report. Requires certain health insurance contracts under which an insurance carrier has the right or obligation to require prior authorization for a health care service, as defined in the bill, to include provisions governing the prior authorization process. Such required provisions include (i) time limits for a carrier to respond to prior authorization requests, (ii) a prohibition on revoking, limiting, making conditional, modifying, or restricting a previously approved prior authorization except under certain circumstances, and (iii) a requirement that a carrier shall provide the reasons for denial of a request. The bill requires a carrier to make publicly available on its website a list of health care services and codes for which prior authorization is required. The foregoing provisions have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027. The bill requires the State Corporation Commission's Bureau of Insurance to establish a work group to develop and deliver a report related to the bill's provisions by November 1, 2025. This bill is identical to HB 2099.

Maddy summaryHJ 511 is a commemorative resolution passed by both the House and Senate in early 2025 to honor the late poet and activist Nikki Giovanni. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies; instead, it formally recognizes her contributions to literature and civil rights. The resolution was adopted without debate or committee action, following standard procedure for symbolic legislative actions. This is a purely ceremonial measure with no substantive policy impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution commending the Roanoke Star, a historic landmark in Roanoke, Virginia. Passed by both the House and Senate in January 2025 with voice votes, it formally honors the landmark's cultural and historical significance. The resolution has no legal effect, does not change laws, and does not directly affect any individuals or policies. It serves as a ceremonial gesture of recognition by the state legislature.

Maddy summarySR 289 is a Senate resolution commending Teresa Clawson-Keeton for her contributions. It does not create any legal obligations or affect policy, as it is a symbolic gesture of recognition. The resolution passed the Senate by voice vote on March 5, 2025, and was engrossed for final action. This type of resolution expresses appreciation but has no binding effect on law or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SR 288) is a symbolic resolution commending the Community of Faith Food Pantry for its service to the community. It does not create new laws, provide funding, or affect any specific policies or individuals. The resolution formally recognizes the pantry's contributions through a vote by the Senate, which passed it unanimously by voice vote on February 20, 2025. As a commemorative measure, it has no legal effect beyond expressing public appreciation.

Maddy summarySR 305 is a ceremonial Senate Resolution commending Brant Baber and Kathy Kalinowski for their contributions. It has no policy impact or binding effect, as it solely expresses legislative recognition. The resolution was unanimously agreed to by the Senate on February 22, 2025, and is a standard procedural measure for honoring individuals. It does not affect any laws, regulations, or specific groups.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally commends Barry Eugene DuVal for his contributions. It is a ceremonial gesture with no policy impact or effect on legislation, as it does not create new laws, alter regulations, or affect any group or individual. The bill passed both chambers by voice vote with no substantive changes.