Sen. Mark Peake

Celebrating the life of Dave Andrew Weeks, Jr.

Fundamental right to be free from medical mandates.Declares that, except as otherwise provided by law, each adult hasa fundamental right to be free from medical mandates of the Commonwealthor any locality, private employer, health care entity or provider,or provider of public accommodations. The bill defines "medical mandate" as any affirmative requirement by the Commonwealth or any locality, private employer, health care entity or provider, or providerof public accommodations for an individual to undergo or participatein a health-related test, procedure, tracking or monitoring program,or bodily insertion or injection of any drug or the wearing of anymedical equipment or apparel. The bill provides that it shall beno less a medical mandate for such entities to condition an individual'sreceipt of otherwise ordinary services, benefits, or employment uponthe performance or acquiescence of undergoing or participating ina health-related test, procedure, tracking or monitoring program,or bodily insertion or injection of any drug or the wearing of any medical equipment or apparel. The bill sets out exceptions, includingprotocols in health care facilities and food handling operationsand valid orders of quarantine or isolation.

Emergency Services and Disaster Law; limitationon duration of executive orders. Limits the duration of any executiveorder issued by the Governor pursuant to his powers under the EmergencyServices and Disaster Law to no more than 45 days from the date ofissuance. The bill provides that if the General Assembly does nottake any action on the rule, regulation, or order within the 45 daysduring which the rule, regulation, or order is effective, the Governorshall thereafter be prohibited from issuing the same or a similarrule, regulation, or order relating to the same emergency. Under current law, once issued, such executive orders are effective untilJune 30 following the next regular session of the General Assembly.

Facilitate the administration of the COVID-19vaccine; emergency.

Celebrating the life of Stephen Teel Goodwin.

Commending Spotsylvania County.

Commending Barry M. Barnard.

Powers of State Health Commissioner in epidemic;vaccine; religious tenets or practices. Allows a parent or guardianto object to the vaccination or immunization of a child on the groundsthat the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with his religioustenets or practices, even if an emergency or epidemic of diseasehas been declared by the State Board of Health, which is not allowedunder current law. The bill also provides that nothing shall precludethe State Health Commissioner from requiring immediate immunizationof all persons in the case of an epidemic of any disease of publichealth importance for which a vaccine exists other than a person,including a parent or guardian on behalf of a child, who objectson the grounds that the administration of the vaccine conflicts withhis religious tenets or practices. Under current law, the only exceptionto the Commissioner's power to require immediate immunization of all persons in case of an epidemic of any disease of public health importancefor which a vaccine exists is for a person to whose health the administrationof a vaccine would be detrimental as certified in writing by a physicianlicensed to practice medicine in the Commonwealth.

Celebrating the life of the Honorable AugustusBenton Chafin, Jr.

Animal-drawn vehicle equipment. Establishesequipment requirements for animal-drawn vehicles operating on the highways of the Commonwealth, including brake systems, tires andwheels, headlamps, hazard lights, reflectors, rearview mirrors, andhorns.