New Virginia laws affect firearms, immigrants, workers, marijuana, much more
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| The Virginia General Assembly in Richmond. |
The following new laws, signed by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, took effect July 1 unless otherwise noted.
Firearms – Criminal background checks are required for all gun sales and transfers. Anyone who is not a licensed firearms dealer cannot purchase more than one handgun in a 30-day period. Under a “red flag” provision, law enforcement can remove firearms from someone deemed a threat to themselves or others.
Minimum wage – The hourly wage is increased to $9.50 on Jan. 1, 2021; $11 in 2022; and $12 in 2023. In 2024, the General Assembly is anticipated to vote on wage increases of $13.50 in 2025, and $15 in 2026.
Dreamers – Undocumented immigrant students can now pay in-state tuition rates at state public colleges and universities.
Driver cards – Undocumented residents can apply for “driver privilege cards” as an alternative to driver’s licenses. The cards must be renewed annually, and applicants must file a tax return or be listed as a dependent on a tax return. This law takes effect Jan. 1, 2021.
Reproductive rights – Laws requiring an ultrasound and 24-hour waiting period before an abortion are repealed. TRAP laws (targeted restrictions on abortion providers) are repealed. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants can perform abortions.
Marijuana – Possession of up to an ounce of marijuana is now a civil, rather than a criminal, violation and is subject to a $25 fine. A work group will study the impact of legalizing marijuana.
Clean energy – Virginia’s grid is anticipated to be carbon-free by 2045. The law includes stronger protections for electric utility ratepayers, goals for solar and wind development, standards for utilities’ renewable energy and energy efficiency, and fewer restrictions on rooftop solar.
Voting – Early voting is allowed 45 days before an election without having to state an excuse. Voters no longer need to show a photo ID before casting a ballot. In-person polling hours are extended from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Holidays – Election Day is a state holiday instead of Lee-Jackson Day.
Confederate statues – Local governments have the authority to remove, relocate, or contextualize war memorials on public property. They will first have to hold a public hearing, then after a vote, will have to find a new place for the statue or memorial, such as a museum or battlefield.
LBGTQ+ rights – Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited in housing, employment, public spaces, and credit applications. There are increased protections for transgender students in public schools, and it’s easier for LGBTQ+ individuals to obtain a birth certificate that matches their gender identity. Conversion therapy, which attempts to forcibly change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, is banned for minors.
Hair discrimination – Laws banning racial discrimination include “traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks, and twists.”
Driver’s license suspension – A person convicted of a violation of the law who fails to pay fines or costs will no longer have their driver’s license suspended. The DMV must return or reinstate any person’s driver’s license that was suspended before July 1, 2019, solely for nonpayment of fines or costs, without a reinstatement fee.
Larceny – The felony larceny threshold is increased from $500 to $1,000.
Juvenile offenders – The age at which a commonwealth’s attorney can transfer a juvenile to be tried as an adult without court approval is raised from 14 to 16.
Parole reform – People can be eligible for parole after serving 20 years of a sentence for crimes committed as a child and for which they received a lengthy sentence.
Slavery – A new commission will study slavery and subsequent racial and economic discrimination against African Americans and make recommendations on appropriate remedies.
Pedestrian safety – Drivers must stop for pedestrians who are anywhere in a crosswalk for any road with a speed limit of less than 35 miles per hour.
Gas tax – The gas tax is raised to 12.6 cents a gallon. Five cents per gallon goes into the statewide funding formula, and 7.6 cents stays in the region.
Cigarette taxes – The cigarette tax is increased from 30 cents to 60 cents per pack and from $3 to $6 per carton.
E-cigarette tax – A new tax on liquid nicotine (“vape juice”) was established at the rate of 6.6 cents per milliliter.
Insulin costs – Health insurance companies are prohibited from charging more than $50 for a 30-day supply of a prescription for insulin.
Casinos – Residents of Bristol, Danville, Richmond, Portsmouth, and Norfolk will vote on a referendum in November to legalize casinos. If passed, each locality will be able to open a full-scale commercial casino in their city.
There's still slavery happening Virginia?
Sure it does,
but at least now slaves cannot be discriminated for hair type or texture
I'm with you 100% Dont forget the in state tuition. Buddy of mine got rear ended by an illegal here in FFX. You're sht out of luck if this happens.
Dont worry, dont worry. The overpaid committee will straighten this slavery thing out.
Love the new larceny threshold – finally criminals and thieves in VA will get the same compensation as thieves in other states.
And i was thinking that our governments elects does not work for us.
So,lawful gun owners were targeted in the list of new laws mean while if your a criminal, ol Ralphie boy the racist Governor just made life easier on you. He is making it possible for an ILLEGAL ALIEN to get a driver's license? WTF? He is a disgrace! He took an oath to uphold the laws. What part of ILLEGAL is he struggling with? Isn't that aiding and abetting? These Democrats cant beat Trump fairly, so they have to cheat. That's why they rolled out the red carpet at the boarder. They want to pack this country with more illegals in hope's of more votes. I dont know what kind of deal Ralphie the racist had to make with the Democrats to stay in office, but I hope it's worth the unconstitutional laws you have mandated. If you were a Republican, your racist ass would have been thrown out of your mansion the day that picture hit the media. TRUMP 2020!! IF YOU LOVE YOUR COUNTRY, VOTE THESE UNLAWFUL COMMUNIST OUT OF OFFICE!!!
So accurate it is just sad –
Lawful citizen are trash to Northam, while criminals and illegal aliens are his target crowd.
such a shame
Finally, now the confused wackos will know the exact date they made the biggest mistake of their lives.
Why do we even put sex on drivers licenses if it doesn't mean anything?
And just to rant, why would anyone try to come legally if they're treated better here than legal citizens?
Wtf is going on with this world? Hope you all are prepared.