A plethora of new legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Glenn Youngkin will kick in on July 1 in Virginia. Here are some of the big legal changes that are coming to the commonwealth.
“Lucia’s Law”
SB 44 and HB 36 make it so parents or guardians can be charged with a Class 5 penalty of child neglect if their child gains possession of a firearm when they had reason to believe the child could pose a threat of violence to themself or others. Lawmakers pushed for this change after 13-year-old Lucia Bremer of Henrico County was shot and killed by a 14-year-old using a gun he found in his home.
No Legacy Admissions
This Virginia law prohibits any public college or university from giving preferential treatment based on family connections during the application process. Applicants who are related to alumni or donors won’t have better chances at admission than those who don’t. Virginia is the second state in the country to implement a law of this sort, following Colorado. It comes just a year after Virginia Tech announced that it would no longer consider legacy.
An End to Child Marriage
House Bill 994 requires that one must be at least 18 years old to get married. This closes a former loophole that permitted minors aged 16 or older who were legally emancipated from their parents to get married.
Naloxone at State Agencies
Per HB 342, state agencies are now required to possess naloxone or other opioid antagonists that can be used to treat someone experiencing — or about to experience — an opioid overdose.
Auto Sears Banned
HB 22 and SB 210 make it illegal to make, sell, or possess an auto sear. Auto sears are devices that allow firearms to shoot more than one shot at a time without manual reloading.
Bathroom Access
Retail stores that have employee restrooms that are not open to the public will be required to provide restroom access to people with certain medical conditions. Conditions named in the bill include any inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome; the use of an ostomy device; or other diagnosed conditions, including pregnancy, that may necessitate urgent access to a restroom.
The “Cake Pop Law”
HB 759, inspired by K.P.’s Kake Pops, makes it easier for small food entrepreneurs to sell their goods at temporary events like craft markets. It allows residents who prepare food in their homes to sell goods at events that run for less than 14 days and loosens restrictions on how they can advertise online.
Right to Roadkill
Anyone now has the right to claim an animal that was struck and killed by a car. While the previous law said only the driver who killed the animal could take it home, HB 1025 makes it legal for anyone to claim a dead deer, bear, turkey, or elk from the road. Roadkill can also now be claimed at any time of the year, even if it’s not hunting season — but it’s still required to report the roadkill to a conservation officer or law enforcement before claiming it.
Declawing Cats
Veterinarians can no longer declaw cats except “as necessary for a therapeutic purpose,” such as to address infection or injury that endangers the animal. The practice of declawing can cause pain and long-term damage to cats’ health, according to the Humane Society.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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