Sen. Stella Pekarsky

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late state legislator Frank Miller Ruff, Jr. It does not create new laws or affect any policies or people. The resolution formally commemorates his service and life through a symbolic tribute. As a non-binding resolution, it has no practical impact beyond recognition.

Autism Advisory Council; name change; membership; staffing; powers and duties. Provides for the Autism Advisory Council to be reconstituted as a permanent, independently staffed agency in the legislative branch of state government. Currently, the Autism Advisory Council is set to expire on July 1, 2027. The bill repeals that expiration date and renames the agency as the Autism Commission. The bill also modifies the membership of the Commission to more closely align with the membership makeup of other independently staffed legislative agencies and directs the Commission to appoint and employ an executive director and other staff to assist in carrying out the duties of the Commission.

Public schools; student discipline; Restorative Schools in Virginia Pilot Program; established. Establishes the Restorative Schools in Virginia Pilot Program (the Program), to be administered by the Department of Education (the Department), for the purpose of addressing school discipline issues and promoting evidence-based restorative practices, as that term is defined in the bill, in public schools in the Commonwealth by awarding grants to an eligible school in each superintendent's region in the Commonwealth to be used in developing and implementing a comprehensive plan to integrate evidence-based restorative practices in such schools in accordance with the provisions of the bill. The bill directs the Department to (i) develop the application process by which a school board may apply on behalf of an eligible school, as defined in the bill, in the applicable school division to receive funds pursuant to the Program; (ii) establish criteria for the selection and award of grants pursuant to the Program; and (iii) develop a process for evaluating the progress and performance of each eligible school selected to receive a grant pursuant to the Program in implementing such evidence-based restorative practices and satisfying the Program requirements set forth in the bill. The bill requires any eligible school selected to receive funds pursuant to the Program, in collaboration with the applicable school board, to (a) establish a learning collaborative for the purpose of developing a comprehensive plan for implementing evidence-based restorative practices in such school in accordance with the provisions of the bill and (b) submit to the Department by July 1 of each year a report on the school's progress in implementing such evidence-based restorative practices for the preceding school year. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2027.

Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy; autopsy protocol; information; training. Requires the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to take certain actions upon the finding that an individual died from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), defined in the bill. The bill directs the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to publish information on SUDEP and a SUDEP death investigation form on its website. Additionally, the bill requires the Chief Medical Examiner and local medical examiners to complete training in the investigation of SUDEP on a triennial basis. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2026.

Health insurance; coverage for cancer follow-up testing; report. Requires health insurers and other carriers to provide coverage for cancer follow-up testing, as defined in the bill, and prohibits the imposition of deductibles, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing requirements specifically on cancer follow-up testing. The bill directs the Bureau of Insurance to annually report to the General Assembly on (i) the number of individuals benefiting from the removal of copayments for cancer follow-up testing, (ii) the financial impact on health insurance premiums as a result of the provisions of the bill, and (iii) recommendations for further policy adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJ 267) is a ceremonial resolution commending the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a nonpartisan organization that supports state legislators. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, people, or programs. The resolution simply expresses formal recognition and appreciation for NCSL's work in strengthening state legislative governance. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect and serves only as a symbolic gesture.

State plan for medical assistance services; recovery residences; work group; report. Directs the Board of Medical Assistance Services to amend the state plan for medical assistance services to include a provision for payment of care provided at certain recovery residences for individuals diagnosed with a substance use disorder. The bill also directs the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to (i) convene a work group of relevant stakeholders to (a) establish a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness and impact of recovery residences on long-term recovery outcomes and (b) study the economic impact of recovery residences on the Commonwealth and (ii) in consultation with such work group, promulgate regulations to ensure recovery residences are operating in compliance with American Society of Addiction Medicine standards. The bill directs the work group to report its findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the House Committee on Health and Human Services and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution honoring the late Henry Levander Marsh, III, a former public servant. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, rights, or funding. The resolution formally recognizes his contributions through a ceremonial vote by both legislative chambers. It passed unanimously in the Senate and House in early February 2025, as documented in the official actions.

Public institutions of higher education; certain transfer credit policy prohibited. Prohibits any public institution of higher education from adopting or implementing any policy that denies credit to transfer students based solely on the sending institution's accreditor, as long as such accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-1837, 2.2-2801, 2.2-3108, 2.2-3711, 15.2-410, 15.2-512, 15.2-531, 15.2-533, 15.2-807, 15.2-824, 15.2-837, 15.2-855, 15.2-1211, 15.2-1400, 15.2-1522, 15.2-1524, 15.2-1544, 15.2-1545, 22.1-28, 22.1-29, 22.1-30, 22.1-31, 22.1-32, 22.1-57.1, 22.1-57.1:1, 22.1-57.3, 22.1-57.3:3, 22.1-71, 22.1-72, 22.1-75, 22.1-126.1, 24.2-129, 24.2-222.1, 24.2-223, 24.2-226, 24.2-227, 24.2-228, 24.2-502, 24.2-506, 58.1-605, and 58.1-3814 of the Code of Virginia and to repeal §§ 15.2-532, 15.2-628, and 22.1-29.1, Articles 2 through 6 (§§ 22.1-34 through 22.1-57) of Chapter 5 of Title 22.1, and §§ 22.1-57.2, 22.1-57.4, and 22.1-57.5 of the Code of Virginia, relating to school boards; method of selection; election required.