New Virginia laws took effect July 1

The following laws passed by the General Assembly this year took effect July 1 unless otherwise stated. For more information about these and other bills enacted in 2023, visit the Virginia Division of Legislative Services.

Criminal offenses

House Bill 1682, Senate Bill 1188 – A mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl is considered a weapon of terrorism and is considered a Class 4 felony.

HB 1572, SB 1291 – Anyone who knowingly reports a false emergency is subject to a Class 1 misdemeanor – and a Class 5 felony if anyone is killed as a result of a false emergency communication.

HB 1673, SB 1156 – Suffocating an individual by blocking or obstructing the airway and causing bodily injury is a Class 6 felony.

HB 2020, SB 1073 – Flying an unmanned aircraft over a prison is prohibited.

HB 2330 – It’s a Class 1 misdemeanor to assault the driver of a public transportation vehicle.

HB 2372, SB 1135 – It’s a Class 6 penalty to sell or purchase a catalytic converter.

HB 2398 – A malicious threat in writing to publish an image of someone nude or in a state of undress exposing their genitals – or refusing to remove such an image if someone complains about it – is subject to a Class 5 felony. Any such incident where the victim is under age 18 is subject to a sentence of up 20 years and a fine of up to $100,000.

HB 1416. SB 1436 – Anyone charged with certain crimes must be subject to testing for sexually transmitted infections.

HB 1943, SB 989 – A commonwealth’s attorney must consult with a crime victim in a felony case to inform the victim of the contents of a proposed plea agreement.

HB 2016 – A court must provide two competent, qualified, and experienced attorneys to defend an indigent defendant charged with a Class 1 felony.

HB 2054, SB 1267 – Courts must provide information about mental health services to defendants found not guilty in cases where their mental health was an issue.

Firearms and weapons

HB 2387 – A non-refundable tax credit of up to $300 is established for the purchase of firearm safety devices.

HB 1422, SB 898 – Completion of a firearms safety or training course conducted by the United States Concealed Carry Association, a USCCA-certified firearms instructor, or a law enforcement agency is required for a concealed handgun permit.

HB 2298 – The law removes switchblade knives and adds stiletto knives to the list of prohibited concealed weapons.

HB 2467 – People with a sincerely held religious belief prohibiting the taking of photographs no longer have to present a photo ID for the purchase of firearms.

Marijuana

HB 1598, SB 788 – Oversight for the medical cannabis program will transfer from the Board of Pharmacy to the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority, effective Jan. 1, 2024.

HB 1846, SB 1337 – New provisions are added to the medical marijuana program on recordkeeping, product registration, allowable deviations, dispensing, packaging, labeling, and advertising.

HB 2294, SB 903 – New limits are placed on the amount of THC in hemp products. The law also creates a registration process – with a $1,000 fee – for stores that sell hemp products. Violators are subject to a civil penalty of $10,000 a day.

HB 2428, SB 1233 – It’s a Class 1 misdemeanor to advertise marijuana containing synthetic THC. Advertising targeting minors, placed near schools, and displayed at sporting events is prohibited.

Motor vehicles

SB 855 – Headlights on any vehicle that emit blue light are prohibited.  

SB 951 – Registration of an uninsured motor vehicle is prohibited as of July 1, 2024.

SB 1058 – Drivers may install a dashboard camera if concealed behind the rearview mirror.

Traffic infractions

HB 1932, SB 982 – Drivers are required to make a lane change or reduce speed when passing stationary vehicles with hazard warning signal flashers, caution signs, or flares.

SB 1069 – Drivers are required to stop for pedestrians in or approaching the driver’s lane.

Labor and employment

HB 1895 – Employers are prohibited from requiring an employee to sign a nondisclosure agreement that would conceal a sexual harassment claim.

SB 1040 – Employers are prohibited from using an employee’s Social Security number as an identification number.

SB 1086 – Organ donors must be granted up to 60 days of unpaid leave.

Landlords and tenants

HB 2082 – Employees of landlords with more than 200 dwelling units that have access to keys must undergo a criminal background check.

Public education

HB 1704, SB 821 – School superintendents must designate a safety official who would be responsible for receiving reports from law enforcement agencies about employees who had been arrested or convicted in another school division or another state.

HB 1592, SB 1072 – Public school principals must notify the parent of any student involved in an alleged bullying incident within 24 hours of learning. Under current law, the deadline is five days.

SB 1175 – Starting with the 2024-25 school year, schools must provide a literacy program aligned with science-based reading instruction.

SB 1043 –The Department of Education must adopt and distribute to each school board a model memorandum of understanding between a school board and a public or private community mental health services provider. The memorandum would establish parameters for providing mental health services to students.

SB 1453 – School boards must provide an automated external defibrillator in every school.

HB 2025 – The Department of Social Services must provide annually to school boards before the start of the school year an information sheet for parents on SNAP benefits.  

Higher Education

SB 1280 – The requirement for a baccalaureate degree program at public institutions of higher education must include an internship or work-based learning experience. This law would take effect July 1, 2025, following policies recommended by the State Council of Higher Education.

SB 1286 – The State Board for Community Colleges is required to standardize the courses for healthcare-related degrees and licensure programs, excluding registered nursing programs.

HB 1419, SB 1498 – Eligibility for the Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program is extended to include the lineal and collateral descendants of persons who were affected by the closing of public schools in Virginia to avoid desegregation.

HB 1916, SB 910 – This law makes several changes to the powers and duties of the threat assessment team at each public institution of higher education.

Freedom of information

HB 2007 – Public bodies must publicly post their policy on charging fees for requests under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Domestic relations

HB 2290, SB 1314 – Both legal parents are responsible for pregnancy and delivery expenses.

Towing

HB 1516 – Towing operators must allow the owners of towed vehicles to recover personal items from their vehicle without paying a fee.

HB 1649 – The law authorizes towing and recovery operators to charge a fuel surcharge fee of no more than $20 per vehicle without the consent of the owner.

Voting

HB 1948 – The law removes the witness requirement for absentee ballots and replaces it with a  requirement that voters provide the last four digits of their Social Security number and birth year.

Animals

HB 1577 – Anyone who confines a dog or cat for active signs of rabies must allow a local health official access to the animal.

Health

HB 1446, SB 1339 – Minimum staffing standards for certified nursing facilities take effect July 1, 2025.

HB 1511, SB 1275 – Licensed midwives are allowed to obtain and administer drugs and devices within the scope of their practice. 

HB 1602, SB 1418 – Healthcare providers no longer need to maintain a physical presence in the state to enroll as Medicaid providers.

HB 2139 – Pharmacists can now refill insulin prescriptions with authorization from the prescriber in emergencies.

HB 2274, SB 948 – Pharmacists can initiate treatment and administer controlled substances or devices for certain infections for people age 18 or older. The law directs the Board of Pharmacy to adopt a statewide protocol on this by Nov. 1.

HB 1976, SB 1299 – The director of a temporary detention facility can release individuals to a local community services board under certain circumstances.

SB 1003 – Health insurance companies must cover hearing aids for minors.

Civil Procedure

HB 1857, SB 1249 – Internet ticketing platforms and resellers are prohibited from using or displaying any trademarked or copyrighted URL or other symbol of an operator, a rights holder, or a primary ticket provider without consent.

HB 2317/SB 789 – The jury duty allowance is increased from $30 to $50 per day.

Corrections

HB 2169, SB 1361 – The records of the Parole Board are no longer exempt from the mandatory disclosure provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, as of July 1, 2024. The Parole Board must issue a statement on why an individual was granted or denied parole and must conduct votes on parole decisions at public meetings.

HB 2487, SB 887 – Correctional facilities must provide a minimum of four hours a day out of a cell for individuals placed in “restorative housing,” otherwise known as solitary confinement.

Financial institutions

HB 1727 – Credit unions are permitted to engage in virtual currency custody services as long as they have adequate protocols in place to effectively manage the associated risks.

Law enforcement and the military

SB 1455 – The chief law-enforcement officer of a locality can enact a curfew under certain circumstances during a civil disturbance.

HB 1624, SB 1071 – The law adds military service members transitioning from military to civilian life to the list of persons supported by the program for mental health and rehabilitative services administered by the Department of Veterans Services.

Historic resources

HB 1968 – The Department of Historic Resources is directed to post signs identifying locations and businesses in the “Green Book,” which provided a list of hotels, gas, stations, restaurants, and stores known to be safe for traveling Black Americans during the Jim Crow era.

Public utilities

HB 1770/SB 1265 – Dominion Energy Virginia is allowed to petition the State Corporation Commission by July 1, 2024, for a financing order for deferred fuel costs.

Taxation

HB 2414 – A disabled veteran or surviving spouse can apply for a real property tax exemption and receive a decision before purchasing a qualifying property.

Wills, trusts, and estates

HB 2027 – A guardian is prohibited from restricting an incapacitated person’s ability to have visitors or communicate with other persons.

HB 2028 – Guardians are required to visit an incapacitated person at least three times a year and at least once every 120 days.

Alcohol

HB 2258 – The Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services must establish and operate a nonprofit, nonstock corporation to oversee a new restricted wholesale beer license for wholesale distribution services to breweries.