A plethora of new laws passed by the Virginia General Assembly and signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin will officially go into effect July 1. From changes in traffic rules to restrictions on controlled substances, here are some of the changes that could impact your life.
False Emergency Calls
A new law will crack down on false reports to emergency personnel, known as “swatting.” It will now be a Class 1 misdemeanor to knowingly report misinformation to the police or fire departments when that information results in an unnecessary emergency response. Class 1 misdemeanors can be punished by up to 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.
If someone is injured during the emergency response it becomes a Class 6 felony, and if someone is killed it becomes a Class 5 felony. The person responsible for the call can be liable for the expenses of the emergency response.
Move Over
Drivers will now be required to change lanes or slow down when they see a car on the side of the road, as long as it is “safe and reasonable” to do so. This applies to any stationary car that has hazard lights on or has been marked by caution signs or a flare on highways of at least four lanes. Failure to comply will be punishable as a traffic infraction.
Fentanyl is a Weapon of Terrorism
In response to the high rate of fentanyl-related deaths, any substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl will now be classed as a weapon of terrorism. Anyone who is found to distribute it will be guilty of a Class 4 felony, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Stricter Age Verification for Porn
Websites that distribute sexually explicit materials which may be harmful to minors will now be required to verify that all users are at least 18 years old. The law defines this material as “any description or representation of nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or sadomasochistic abuse.” Sites that do not implement age verification protocol could face civil lawsuits.
Limits on THC in Hemp Products
A new law establishes regulations on the amount of THC that can be present in retail hemp products. Products cannot contain more than 0.3 percent THC, and no more than two milligrams per package. The law contains an amendment from the governor that states that products can contain more than two milligrams if they contain at least a 25:1 ratio of CBD to THC.
Minimum Wage for People with Disabilities
A section of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act allows some individuals with physical or mental disabilities to be excluded from the Virginia Minimum Wage Act, resulting in pay below the state minimum wage. A new law will make it so that this exclusion will only apply to employers who were already authorized for the exclusion prior to July 1, 2023. The exclusion will be eliminated entirely in July 2030.
Bullying Notifications
Principals will now be required to notify the parent of any student involved in a bullying incident within 24 hours of learning about it. The former law gave principals up to five days to report such incidents.
No Blue Lights
It’s now against the law to modify the headlights of any vehicle (including motor vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, electric bicycles, electric skateboards, and scooters) with aftermarket parts that make the headlights appear blue.
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