Sen. Barbara Favola

Child abuse or neglect; prenatal use of a controlled substance or drug as prescribed. Clarifies that a pregnant woman's prenatal use of a controlled substance or drug as prescribed by such woman's health care provider shall not solely be a reason to suspect that a child is abused or neglected.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 4) honoring William J. Martin. It does not create any new laws, policies, or financial obligations; it is a formal expression of recognition by the Senate. The resolution passed unanimously via voice vote on January 22, 2026, following its introduction on January 14. As a commemorative resolution, it directly affects no individuals or groups through policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 5) commending the First Baptist Church of Midlothian for its community contributions. It does not create new laws or affect policies; it is a symbolic gesture of recognition. The resolution was unanimously agreed to by the Senate on January 22, 2026, with no substantive provisions or impact on legislation.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJ 5) commending Pamelia Henriksen. It does not create any policy changes, allocate funds, or affect any laws or individuals. The bill simply expresses formal recognition of Pamelia Henriksen through a resolution, with no substantive provisions or mechanisms beyond the commendation language. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct impact on legislation or constituents.

Department of Emergency Management; powers and duties; development and implementation of standardized guidelines and training programs. Provides for the Department of Emergency Management (the Department) to consult with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services regarding the development of standardized guidelines for mental health support during an emergency or extended incident. The bill also requires the Department to develop a training program comprised of National Incident Management System (NIMS) principles, the state's Incident Command System (ICS) structure, and the role of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Under the bill, each agency head shall be required to complete the training within six months of appointment and again every two years thereafter. In addition, the bill provides for the Department to (i) offer health and safety training to volunteer organizations incorporated into the Virginia Emergency Support Team (VEST) and (ii) establish a health monitoring system for volunteers to be implemented during a declared state of emergency. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Joint Subcommittee to Study Pandemic Response and Preparedness in the Commonwealth. This bill is identical to HB 2350.

Virginia military forces; Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Program established. Establishes the Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Program (the Program) within the Department of Military Affairs. The bill also establishes the Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Officer (the Officer) to perform victim advocacy services, including helping victims of certain criminal sexual assault offenses make either a restricted report or an unrestricted report, as those terms are defined in the bill. Restricted and unrestricted reports may be made (i) by a person who is a member of the Virginia military forces, defined in the bill as the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia Defense Force, or (ii) against a member of the Virginia military forces. The bill directs the Adjutant General, in coordination with the Officer, to submit an annual report to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the chairmen of both the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice. The annual report shall include relevant information enumerated in the bill, including implementation and effectiveness of the Program's policies and procedures, as well as statistical information about restricted reports and unrestricted reports.

Discovery. Requires the Commonwealth, upon request by the accused or his counsel to copy or photograph any discovery materials or evidence the accused is permitted to inspect and review, including relevant police reports, criminal records, and body-worn camera footage, and requires the Commonwealth to provide such copies or photographs, electronically or otherwise, to the accused or his counsel, unless such material is prohibited from being distributed by law or impossible to provide by electronic means. The bill requires the attorney for the Commonwealth in any district court to provide to counsel of record for the accused, if requested, by electronic means a copy of any police report at least 10 days prior to the date the case is set for trial or preliminary hearing, provided that counsel of record agrees to any reasonable redaction or restricted dissemination as requested by the attorney for the Commonwealth. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission. This bill incorporates SB 1355 and is identical to HB 1630.

Elections; deadline for receipt of absentee ballots and certain other information; 5:00 p.m. on the third day after the election. Moves the deadline for receipt of absentee ballots, information required to cure an absentee ballot, or proof of identification to accompany a provisional ballot provided for lack of identification from noon to 5:00 p.m. on the third day after the election.

Collective bargaining by public employees; exclusive bargaining representatives. Repeals the existing prohibition on collective bargaining by public employees. The bill creates the Public Employee Relations Board, which shall determine appropriate bargaining units and provide for certification and decertification elections for exclusive bargaining representatives of state employees and local government employees. The bill requires public employers and employee organizations that are exclusive bargaining representatives to meet at reasonable times to negotiate in good faith with respect to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. The bill repeals a provision that declares that, in any procedure providing for the designation, selection, or authorization of a labor organization to represent employees, the right of an individual employee to vote by secret ballot is a fundamental right that shall be guaranteed from infringement. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026. This bill incorporates SB 964, SB 1033, and SB 1401 and is identical to HB 2764.

Speech-language pathology assistants; licensure, qualifications, scope of practice; revocation or suspension of license; continuing education. Adds speech-language pathology assistants to the professions governed by the Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The bill also establishes qualifications, scope of practice, and supervision requirements for speech-language pathology assistants. The bill directs the Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology to adopt regulations governing the speech-language pathology assistant profession by July 1, 2026, and specifies that the provisions governing the licensure of speech-language pathology assistants have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.