Workers' compensation benefits; post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder incurred by law-enforcement officers and firefighters. Increases from 52 weeks to 500 weeks the maximum duration after the date of diagnosis that workers' compensation benefits are payable for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder incurred by law-enforcement officers and firefighters acting in the line of duty. The bill also removes the prohibition on medical treatment, temporary total incapacity benefits, or temporary partial incapacity benefits from being awarded beyond four years from the date of the qualifying event that was the primary cause of the post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of law-enforcement officer to include any civilian employed by a county, city, or town police department or by a sheriff's office as a crime scene investigator for the purposes of worker's compensation claims related to post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 210) that formally honors Lawrence Douglas Wilder, the first Black governor of Virginia (1990-1994). It does not create new laws or affect policy; it is solely a symbolic expression of respect for Wilder's historical service. The resolution was unanimously agreed to by the Senate on January 16, 2025. It directly recognizes Wilder's legacy but has no binding effect or practical impact on legislation or constituents.
Maddy summaryThis resolution formally expresses appreciation for Lawrence Douglas Wilder, Virginia's first Black governor, recognizing his service to the state. It passed both the Senate and House by voice vote on January 15-16, 2025, with no recorded opposition. The bill has no binding effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a ceremonial honor. It directly affects no individuals or entities beyond the symbolic recognition of Wilder's legacy.
Reckless, aggressive, and improper driving; prohibited altered suspension system; penalties. Creates additional penalties for causing serious bodily injury to or the death of another person while recklessly, aggressively, or improperly driving a motor vehicle with certain prohibited alterations made to the vehicle's suspension system. The bill directs the court, in addition to penalties imposed under current law, to suspend the driver's license of such offender for 90 days and order the completion of 150 hours of community service for a first conviction and suspend the driver's license of such offender for one year and impose a penalty of $1,500 for any second or subsequent conviction.
Local government actions related to comprehensive plans, local planning commissions, subdivision plats and site plans, and zoning ordinances; approval process. Makes several changes to local government land use approval processes, including (i) prohibiting use of the comprehensive plan as the basis, in whole or in part, for the disapproval of a site plan that is otherwise in conformity with duly adopted standards, ordinances, and statutes and (ii) allowing automatic approval of certain land use applications rather than a right to petition the circuit court, as provided under current law, if a locality does not approve or disapprove the application within the required timeframe. The bill also reduces from 12 months to four months the time within which a locality must initially act upon certain proposed zoning ordinance amendments and requires a locality to act on all such proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance or map that it has previously disapproved within 45 days after an amended proposal has been resubmitted for approval.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally commends Michael A. Neal for his retirement as chief of the Ringgold Volunteer Fire and Rescue department after more than 54 years of service. The document highlights his leadership in growing the department's capabilities and managing its finances while serving in various volunteer roles within the community. It directs the Senate Clerk to prepare a copy of the resolution to present to Mr. Neal as a gesture of appreciation for his long-term dedication.
Public school teachers; licensure requirements; one-yearlocal eligibility license; alternate routes and flexibility; report. Requiresthe Board of Education to include in its teacher licensure regulationsprovisions authorizing each school board to, upon recommendation of thedivision superintendent and in accordance with the criteria set forth in thebill, issue a one-year local eligibility license that is only valid within theissuing school division and renewable for no more than one additional year toany individual who (i) received a baccalaureate degree from a regionallyaccredited institution of higher education, (ii) has experience or training ina subject or content area as the school board and division superintendent maydeem appropriate for the applicable teaching position or endorsement area, and(iii) is not seeking to provide instruction in special education or eligiblefor collegiate professional or postgraduate professional licensure. The billestablishes several requirements, criteria, and conditions relating to a localeligibility license, including criteria and requirements relating toprobationary terms of employment, eligibility for receiving a collegiateprofessional or postgraduate professional license after the expiration of theone-year eligibility license, and conditions that must be met before attainingcontinuing contract status. Finally, the bill requires the Board of Educationto convene a work group to make recommendations on revising teacher licensure requirementsto increase flexibility in licensure requirements and alternate routes tolicensure and improve teacher recruitment and retention. The work group isrequired to submit a report on such recommendations to the Governor, the SenateCommittee on Education and Health, and the House Committee on Education byNovember 1, 2024.
Barrier crimes; adult substance abuse and mental health services; exception. Permits the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, providers of substance abuse or mental health services to adults, and community services boards and behavioral health authorities to hire applicants convicted of certain barrier crimes of misdemeanor assault and battery or involving controlled substances without additional screening or other requirements, provided that such conviction occurred more than five years prior to the application date for employment.
Forest Sustainability Fund; fund allocation. Provides that moneys from the Forest Sustainability Fund must be allocated proportionally among localities that forgo tax revenues as a result of the use value assessment and taxation for real estate devoted for forest use. The bill specifies that no locality shall receive an allocation of more than four percent or less than one-half of one percent of available funds from the Fund. This bill is identical to HB 944.
Enterprise zones; extension. Provides that any enterprise zone in existence as of June 30, 2024, shall be extended for a period of four years in addition to any renewal periods currently authorized by law and authorizes the Governor, upon the recommendation of the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, to renew enterprise zones for up to four five-year renewal periods for zones designated on or after July 1, 2005, and for up to two five-year renewal periods for zones designated before July 1, 2005. This bill incorporates SB 722.