2017 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Highlights January 27, 2017 This afternoon, the Mental Health subcommittee for the House Committee on Courts of Justice will hear several bills of interest to us, including: HB 1480 (Helsel) requires mental health training for first responders HB 1782 (Bell, Rob) gives the State Board of Corrections the authority to...
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January 25, 2017 – Legislative Highlights
2017 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Highlights January 25, 2017 The General Assembly will consider several bills that address the need to have systemic oversight of allegations of abuse and neglect of people with disabilities. HB 1508 (Hope) and SB 894 (Favola) require the Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to provide...
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January 23, 2017 – Legislative Highlights
2017 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Highlights January 23, 2017 The Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections will hear a number of bills tomorrow that could increase the ability of people with disabilities and other Virginians to be able to vote by early voting or absentee voting. SB 792 (Ebbin), SB 1016 (Barker), and SB 1132...
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January 20, 2017 – Legislative Highlights
2017 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Highlights January 20, 2017 The disAbility law Center of Virginia monitors activities in the legislature that may be of interest to people with disabilities. We are available to educate policy makers about the potential impact of legislative proposals. Please let us know of any legislative proposals or budget issues that...
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January 12, 2017 – Legislative Highlights
2017 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Highlights January 12, 2017 Tomorrow morning, the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation will consider several bills coming from a workgroup known as the “Deeds” or the “SJ47” group (It is not an official legislative commission.) Among the bills on the docket tomorrow are: SB 933 (Favola) requiring “mental health first aid”...
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January 11, 2017 – Legislative Highlights
2017 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Highlights January 11, 2017 The 2017 legislative session in Virginia opened today. Committees and subcommittees of the House and the Senate will begin deliberation of proposed legislation almost immediately. Committees post their meeting agendas, generally about 24 hours before their meeting. So, if you are watching any legislation, it is...
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January 4, 2017 – Legislative Highlights
2017 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Highlights January 4, 2017 The 2017 legislative session in Virginia will begin on January 11th at noon. This is a “short” session meaning that the legislature plans to be in session for 45 days, rather than the 60 days of the “long” session that meets on even-numbered years. During the...