Session 2021 – Day 14

February 01, 2021

One of the most important terms relating to the legislative process is “crossover;”  by definition that is the deadline set for each chamber to have completed it’s work on it’s own legislation except the Budget Bill.  “Crossover” this year is Saturday, February 6.  So by the end of this week, we will have a fairly good idea of what will still be of concern and what we can feel a little more confident about.

The fact that the Session organized to end in the constitutionally required 30 days this year, also means that the Calendar requires that the Budget Bill be complete by Sunday.  As that seems very unlikely, we expect the Governor to call a “Special Session” to complete that bit of work.

But for the moment – several of the pieces of legislation that were very worrisome have either been stricken, tabled or “passed by indefinitely” – that includes

• a bill that would have prevented localities from enforcing rules about guns if the individual had a concealed carry permit, 
• a lowering of the standards for the licensure of LPCs, and
• the establishment of a paid family leave program paid for with a new payroll tax (an identical bill is still moving through the House)

Several other pieces of legislation have been amended and are now far less worrisome; we will continue to monitor!

• The bill in support of allowing a designated support person to accompany someone with a disability while they are hospitalized is still moving forward, and we are working very closely with the patron on a few last minute language details. 
• Also moving forward is a bill which adds the following language (in italics) to all the barrier crimes sections of §§ 37.2-314, 37.2-408.1, 37.2-416 & 37.2-506 :

Hire for compensated employment any person who has been convicted of (i) any offense set forth in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of the definition of barrier crime in з 19.2-392.02 in the 10 years prior to the application date for employment, and may only hire a person who has been convicted of such offenses more than 10 years prior if he has not been convicted of any other crime in the 10 years prior to the application date for employment and is not on probation or parole or failed to pay required court costs for such offenses set forth in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of the definition of barrier crime in з 19.2-392.02 or (ii) any offense set forth in clause (iv) of the definition of barrier crime in з 19.2-392.02 (a) in the five years prior to the application date for employment or (b) if such person continues on probation or parole or has failed to pay required court costs for such offense set forth in clause (iv) of the definition of barrier crime in з 19.2-392.02;