Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker

Maddy summaryHJ 575 is a ceremonial resolution commending St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School for its contributions to education. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, funding, or regulations. The resolution formally recognizes the school's work through a vote by both the Virginia House and Senate, passing by voice vote in February 2025. This type of resolution is purely symbolic and has no direct impact on the school or other entities.

Maddy summaryHJ 591 is a ceremonial resolution commending Olympic sprinter Noah Lyles for his athletic achievements. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group, as it serves only as a formal expression of praise. The resolution passed both chambers with voice votes in February 2025 and was signed into law. This type of resolution is common for recognizing notable individuals but has no legal or financial impact.

Maddy summaryHJ 607 is a ceremonial resolution commending Thomas Heilman for his contributions. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, rights, or individuals. The resolution passed unanimously in both the House (February 10) and Senate (February 13) with voice votes and was formally adopted on March 20, 2025. As a non-binding expression of appreciation, it has no practical impact beyond the formal recognition.

Maddy summaryHJ 580 is a non-binding resolution commending Ross A. Mugler for his contributions. It does not create any policy changes or affect specific groups, as it is a ceremonial recognition. The resolution passed unanimously in both the House and Senate with voice votes in February 2025. This type of bill serves only to honor an individual without legal or financial implications.

Child victims and witnesses using two-way closed-circuit television; standard. Allows the court to order that the testimony of a child be taken by two-way closed-circuit television if it finds that the child is unavailable to testify in open court in the presence of the defendant, the jury, the judge, and the public if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, based upon expert opinion testimony, that the child will suffer at least moderate emotional trauma as a result of testifying in the defendant's presence and not in the courtroom generally, such that it prevents the child from reasonably communicating to the jury or renders the child unable to testify, or will cause the child to suffer long-lasting adverse effects. Under current law, the court may order such testimony be taken by two-way closed-circuit television if it finds that (i) the child has a substantial inability to communicate about the offense or (ii) there is a substantial likelihood, based upon expert opinion testimony, that the child will suffer severe emotional trauma from so testifying. The bill also extends the application window for the party seeking such order from seven to 30 days before the trial date or such other preliminary proceeding to which such order is to apply.

Maddy summaryHJ 584 is a commemorative resolution honoring Dr. Golden Bethune-Hill, recognizing her contributions to the community. It does not create new policies or affect any specific group through legislative action. The resolution was passed unanimously by the Senate on February 12, 2025, and formally adopted by the legislature. As a ceremonial measure, it has no substantive policy impact.

Public school buses; display of advertising; hiring of school bus drivers in the local school division. Permits any local school board, notwithstanding any regulation to the contrary, to display decals, posters, and stickers on the sides and rear of school buses advertising the hiring of school bus drivers in the local school division, provided that the local school board is responsible for the cost of such decals, posters, and stickers and that no such decal, poster, or sticker obstructs the name of the school division or the number of the school bus.

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 incorporates HB 2251 and is identical to SB 1188.

Planning and zoning; public notice. Requires the second public hearing notice that a planning commission publishes for certain planning and zoning actions to be published no less than five days before the date of the meeting. Current law requires such notice to be published no less than seven days before the date of the meeting.

Compensation of court-appointed counsel. Clarifies that, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, no person found indigent, or child's parents or other persons responsible for the care of a child found indigent, and who is represented by a public defender or court-appointed counsel shall have fees assessed against him for legal representation in an amount greater than the amount such person or such child would have owed if the assessment took place on or before June 30, 2024. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission. This bill is identical to SB 901.