Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker

Firearm locking device required for sale ortransfer of firearm; warning against accessibility to children; penalty.Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any licensed manufacturer, licensedimporter, or licensed dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any firearmto any person other than a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer,or licensed dealer unless the transferee is provided with a lockingdevice for that firearm and the firearm is accompanied by a warning,in conspicuous and legible type in capital letters printed on a labelaffixed to the firearm and on a separate sheet of paper included within the packaging enclosing the firearm, that firearms should be lockedand kept away from children and that there may be civil and criminalliability for failing to do so. The bill provides exceptions forlaw-enforcement and governmental agencies.

Early childhood care and education; publicly funded providers. Provides that any locality wishing to participate in the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) must submit a proposal by May 15 of each year identifying a lead VPI agency responsible for developing a local plan for the delivery of preschool services to at-risk children. A local match based on the composite index of local ability to pay is required to fund such a proposal. The proposal must include the number of at-risk four-year-olds and three-year-olds to be served and eligibility criteria for participation. Upon acceptance, the Department will disburse state VPI funds to the lead VPI agency in such localities, which may be used with local matching funds to provide preschool education, health services, social services, parental involvement services, and transportation. The Department must establish academic standards for VPI programs that prepare students to successfully enter kindergarten. Full day VPI programs must operate for a minimum of five and a half instructional hours per day, while half day VPI programs operate for a minimum of three instructional hours per day. The bill requires the Department of Education to collect information from VPI and the Mixed Delivery Grant Program to compile a comprehensive report on the use of state funds, including the number of slots and funding allocated to each local program or provider and the number of slots that have been filled. The bill codifies the Child Care Subsidy Program, which is currently established pursuant to regulations of the Board of Education, for the purpose of assisting families who meet certain eligibility criteria with the cost of child care provided by approved vendors. The bill requires the Child Care Subsidy Program to be overseen by the Department of Education and permits the Department to contract with state and local agencies to administer the Program. The bill requires the Department and Board of Education, as applicable, to establish rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards for the Program. The bill also codifies the Mixed Delivery Grant Program, which is currently established pursuant to the general appropriation act, for the purpose of awarding grants on a competitive basis to local public entities that enter into partnerships with local private early childhood care and education entities and other community organizations, as applicable, to provide, under the direction and leadership of a lead agency identified in the grant proposal, high-quality care and education, either part time or full time, for at-risk infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children who reside in the locality. The bill requires the Mixed Delivery Grant Program to be administered by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation in partnership with the Department of Education and, consistent with any provisions relating to the Program in the general appropriation act, requires the Foundation and the Department to establish policies, procedures, and standards for the Program.

Abolition of juvenile fines and fees; criminal offenses. Abolishes court costs, fines, and fees assessed to a juvenile or his parent or other persons responsible for his care in circuit court and juvenile and domestic relations district court related to prosecutions of criminal offenses.

Black Women's History Month. Designates April, in 2024 and in each succeeding year, as Black Women's History Month in Virginia.

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Month of Awareness. Designates May, in 2024 and in each succeeding year, as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Month of Awareness in Virginia.

Nepali American Heritage Day. DesignatesApril 15, in 2024 and in each succeeding year, as Nepali American Heritage Day in Virginia.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Awareness Day. Designates October 25, in 2024 and in each succeeding year, as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Awareness Day in Virginia. This bill incorporates HJ 37.

Student Appreciation Week. Designates theweek of March 20, in 2024 and in each succeeding year, as StudentAppreciation Week in Virginia.

Disability Pride Month. Designates July,in 2024 and in each succeeding year, as Disability Pride Month inVirginia.

Commending the Northern Virginia TransportationCommission.