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
Community services boards; discharge planning. Reduces from within 30 days to within 72 hours of an individual's identification as ready for discharge the time by which a community services board must document its disagreement with the determination that an individual is ready for discharge from a state hospital or training center. The bill also directs the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to establish a work group with representatives of the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards to (i) review the current process for discharging patients from state mental health hospitals, including the current assigned responsibilities of state hospital staff and community services board staff, as well as the barriers to timely discharge for patients clinically ready to discharge, and (ii) develop potential options to expedite the discharge process for individuals who can be safely discharged back into the community. The bill directs the work group to develop a plan that includes recommendations for expediting the discharge process and identify the necessary funding to ensure that individuals receive essential services upon discharge and that discharges are timely. The bill requires the work group to report its findings and conclusions and its plan to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by September 1, 2021.
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.
Confirmatory adoption. Expands the stepparentadoption provisions to allow a person who is not the child's stepparentbut has a legitimate interest in the child to file a joint petitionfor adoption with the child's birth parent or parent by adoption.
DMAS; work group to study options forincreasing access to virtual supports and services; individuals withintellectual and developmental disabilities. Directs the Departmentof Medical Assistance Services to study and develop recommendationsrelated to options for increasing access to virtual supports andservices for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,including increasing access to assistive technology and environmentalmodifications to facilitate increased access to virtual supports and services, with the goal of addressing such recommendations aspart of any concurrent review of regulations related to servicesfor individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,and to report its findings and conclusions to the Governor and theGeneral Assembly by November 1, 2021.
Virginia Employment Commission; communications with parties; report. Authorizes the Virginia Employment Commission to send notices and other communications related to claims brought under the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act through email or other electronic means in lieu of mail if a party to the claim so elects. The bill requires the Commission, if an electronic communication fails to be transmitted successfully, to send a new notice by first-class mail to the party's alternative address on record. The bill directs the Commission to report the number of unemployment insurance claimants who elect to receive communications electronically, and the effect of this change on Commission operations, by December 31, 2022.
Secretary of Commerce and Trade; Identity Management Standards Advisory Council. Transfers the managementof the Identity Management Standards Advisory Council from the Secretaryof Administration to the Secretary of Commerce and Trade. The billalso adds to the membership of the Advisory Council a representativefrom the Commonwealth of Virginia Innovation Partnership Authorityand a representative of Virginia consumers.
Produce Rx Program established; report. Directs the Department of Social Services, in cooperation with the Department of Medical Assistance Services, to convene a work group to develop a plan for a three-year pilot Produce Rx program to incentivize consumption of qualifying fruits and vegetables by eligible individuals for whom increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is recommended by a qualified care provider. The bill requires the Department of Social Services to report on the activities of the work group and the elements of the plan to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations by October 1, 2021.
Clinical nurse specialist; licensure; practice. Changes from the requirement of registration as clinical nurse specialists to the licensure of nurse practitioners as clinical nurse specialists by the Boards of Medicine and Nursing and provides that a nurse practitioner licensed as a clinical nurse specialist shall practice pursuant to a practice agreement between the clinical nurse specialist and a licensed physician and in a manner consistent with the standards of care for the profession and applicable law and regulations. For the transition of registration to licensure, the bill requires the Boards of Medicine and Nursing to jointly issue a license to practice as a nurse practitioner in the category of a clinical nurse specialist to an applicant who is an advance practice registered nurse who has completed an advanced graduate-level education program in the specialty category of clinical nurse specialist and who is registered by the Board of Nursing as a clinical nurse specialist on July 1, 2021.
Brain injury; definition. Eliminates therequirement that an injury occur before the age of 65 to constitutea brain injury as that term is used in the context of licensure ofprivate providers of behavioral health services.