Gov. Glenn Youngkin put his veto power to good use this year, taking 201 measures that the Democratic-held Legislature sent to his desk.
Many of the Democrats’ top priorities were defeated, including a raft of gun safety bills and legislation to raise the minimum wage and create a legal cannabis market. But the Republican governor also signed more than 800 measures into law, including bills to improve unemployment services and another bill that made Virginia the first state in the South to ban child marriage.
Here’s a list of some of the notable new laws that go into effect on July 1.
Alcoholic beverages
Businesses are still allowed to deliver or offer takeout of alcoholic beverages, a practice introduced during the pandemic but set to expire soon.
Child marriage
Virginia is the first southern state to abolish child marriage for all minors. A new law sets the legal age of marriage at 18 and eliminates the ability for a minor to be emancipated based on their intent to marry.
Children having access to weapons
A parent or guardian who fails to prevent a minor from gaining access to their firearm is guilty of a class 5 misdemeanor if the child has been charged or convicted of a violent juvenile offense, or if the adult has been notified of a preliminary determination that the child is guilty of a crime. a threat of violence against oneself or others.
Don’t show up
Persons who fail to appear in court cannot be punished if they were in custody or under the supervision of a police officer at the time they were required to appear.
Local government
Municipalities can increase the annual salaries of mayors and city council members. New salary caps are based on population size and nearly double the maximum amount local elected officials can earn if cities vote to increase pay. Both Hampton and Portsmouth have approved salary increases that will take effect next budget year.
Exposure to toxic substances
Virginia’s fire department should assemble a task force to explore how local government workers exposed to toxic substances during emergencies can get health care.
Unemployment
The Virginia Employment Commission must notify those who have received non-fraudulent overpayments of unemployment benefits that they have 30 days to file for waiver. Non-fraudulent overpayments occur when a claimant is wrongly approved for unemployment despite filing a truthful claim. The commission will grant waivers if claimants were not at fault and seeking repayment would deprive them of money needed for basic needs.
The Employment Commission also now has a five-year statute of limitations for recovering non-fraudulent overpayments. The Commission can also choose to forgive overpayments in any situation where the agency determines it would be “administratively impracticable” to recover the money.
Mobile home parks
The owner of a mobile park must pay homeowners a $5,000 relocation fee if the owner sells the park and requires homeowners to move.
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Rights of the tenant
Victims of domestic or sexual abuse have the right to terminate a lease early if they have a permanent protective order and need to move for safety reasons.
In addition, landlords must clearly state what costs tenants must pay as part of their rental agreement.
Animals
Municipalities may establish public animal cruelty registries on their city websites to make it easier for those selling or giving away animals to vet potential new owners. Registries may include the names and relevant information of individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses.
The removal of claws in cats is prohibited unless the procedure is necessary for therapeutic purposes.
Prison reforms
The use of attack dogs is restricted in adult prisons and banned in juvenile detention centers. A Business Insider investigation found that Virginia prisons used patrol dogs to attack 271 inmates from 2017-2022 — by far the most of any state.
Another law creates an ombudsman office to oversee the Virginia Department of Corrections. The ombudsman, among other things, monitors prison conditions and handles complaints or concerns from prisoners and their families.
Legacy recordings
State universities and colleges are prohibited from favoring an applicant based on his or her legacy status or because of his or her relationship to a school donor.
Access to the bathroom
Stores with employee-only restrooms must allow customers with certain medical conditions, including Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome, to use the employee restroom. Eligible customers who are denied may seek damages of up to $100.
Roadkill
Any deer, bear, turkey or elk killed in a vehicle collision can be claimed by anyone. The law previously only allowed deer or bear to be claimed by the driver of the vehicle.
Off-road vehicles
Local governments can pass ordinances giving police the authority to impound and destroy any SUV or motorcycle that is being driven illegally on a city highway or sidewalk.
All drivers in Virginia must have auto insurance starting July 1, as the state has dropped the uninsured surcharge
Agricultural vehicles
Unregistered farm vehicles must display a permanent DMV-issued farm placard on vans, pickup trucks and SUVs with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 7,500 pounds. The law passed in 2023, but provided a one-year grace period for vehicle owners.
Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com
