My Legislation That passed in 2024

This session, I passed 14 pieces of legislation and had my budget amendments included in the joint House and Senate budget. Below is a summary of the bills and budget requests that I sponsored to build a more just, equitable, and welcoming Virginia. 

Thank you to everyone who shared your priorities with me. You can sign-up for my electronic newsletter to learn about my work on behalf of our community and see tips on my website on how you can continue to stay engaged with the legislative process. 

EXPANDING HEALTH CARE 

House Bill 971 helps address our health care workforce shortage by lowering the number of years that a nurse practitioner must work under supervision by a physician before being able to practice autonomously. This bill passed the House of Delegates by a vote of 98-1 and unanimously in the state Senate. I appreciate collaborating with the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners, Medical Society of Virginia, and AARP.

House Bill 995 creates a pathway for immigrants and refugees living in Virginia who are internationally-trained physicians to obtain their medical licenses in the Commonwealth, enabling them to reach their full career potential while meeting health care needs in underserved communities. This bill passed unanimously from the House of Delegates and the state Senate.

House Bill 1060 requires long-term insurance companies to notify their policyholders if they request the State Corporation Commission to increase their rates and that the agency must consider the impact on policyholders when reviewing requests for rate increases. This issue was first brought to me by my constituent Jeff and was supported by the Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and AARP. This bill passed the House of Delegates by a 59-39 vote and unanimously in the state Senate.

STRENGTHENING PUBLIC SCHOOLS

House Bill 980 ensures students who report being hazed are notified about mental and behavioral health services on their college campuses, and it passed the House of Delegates by a 60-38 vote and unanimously from the state Senate. Thanks to my constituent Kalynne, Love Like Adam Foundation, and Virginia Education Association for their support.

Budget Amendment Item 117 #3c provides resources to the Virginia Department of Education to create a model curriculum, tools, and resources to teach Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) history as part of the History and Social Science Standards of Learning and supporting programing for AAPI History Month.

Budget Amendment Item 125 #3c increases the number of English Language Learner (ELL) teachers to meet the needs of our students. I was happy to partner with Fairfax County Public Schools on this request.  

LIFTING UP WORKING FAMILIES 

House Bill 992 connects participants in the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training Program to employment and training services. This bill passed the House of Delegates on a vote of 51-49 and the state Senate unanimously. I collaborated on this legislation with Voices for Virginia’s Children and the Virginia Poverty Law Center. 

House Bill 1261 gives the Virginia Employment Commission permanent authority to waive overpayment of unemployment benefits when the overpayments were made through no fault of the individual. Thanks to the Virginia Poverty Law Center and Legal Aid Justice Center for supporting this bill. This bill passed the House of Delegates on a 49-47 vote and the state Senate on a 25-14 vote.

ENSURING FAIR AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING

House Bill 993 prohibits landlords from requiring tenants to pay fees to obtain normal maintenance or to pay rent if a no-fee option is not available. This bill passed on a 51-49 vote in the House of Delegates and 22-18 vote in the state Senate. I am grateful to my constituent Susan for bringing this issue to me and for the opportunity to partner with the Virginia Poverty Law Center, New Virginia Majority, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Legal Aid Justice Center, Virginia NAACP, and Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia.

House Bill 1487 requires the state to publish translations of model rental forms in top languages other than English that are spoken in Virginia so that all tenants, regardless of their language abilities, understand their rental terms. I worked on this bill with the Virginia Poverty Law Center, New Virginia Majority, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Legal Aid Justice Center, Virginia NAACP, and Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia. This bill passed the House of Delegates by a vote of 58-40 and the state Senate by a vote of 21-18.

BUILDING A MORE WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE VIRGINIA

House Bill 1186 establishes a pilot program that provides all-terrain wheelchairs at our state parks and passed the House of Delegates and state Senate unanimously. Thanks to the Friends of Mason Neck State Park, Virginia Conservation Network, Virginia Association for Parks, disAbility Law Center of Virginia, and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation for working with me.

Budget Amendment Item 331 #4c provides funds to ensure that our state government resources are available to every Virginian, including those who do not speak English, speak limited English, or have a disability affecting communication abilities. 

HONORING OUR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES

House Joint Resolution 45 gives Virginia voters the opportunity to amend the Constitution of Virginia to provide equitable tax relief to surviving spouses of service members who were killed in the line of duty. This legislation passed unanimously from the House of Delegates and state Senate. Many thanks to my constituents Traci and Edie, as well as the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations, for their tireless advocacy. The issue will now go before Virginia voters on the November ballot.

PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

House Bill 985 bans toxic asphalt sealants in Virginia. It passed the House of Delegates by a 78-21 vote and by 23-15 in the state Senate. I appreciate the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, and the Sierra Club for their partnership. You can read coverage of my efforts in WUSA9 and the Richmond Times Dispatch.

House Bill 1531 creates a civil penalty for anyone in the Commonwealth who uses bullhooks or a similar device to hurt or intimidate elephants. This bill passed with bipartisan support in the House of Delegates (63-36) and state Senate (29-11). I am grateful for the support of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Virginia Federation of Humane Societies, Virginia Animal Control Association, Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. You can learn more about my efforts in the Fairfax Connection. 

EXPANDING VOTING RIGHTS

House Bill 989 requires the Department of Elections to translate and publish key voting information in Virginia’s most widely spoken languages other than English. This bill passed the House of Delegates by a vote of 88-11 and passed the state Senate unanimously. I am grateful for the support of New Virginia Majority and the Voter Registrars Association of Virginia.

OTHER BILLS

House Bill 986 allows notaries to charge up to $10 for notarizing hard copy documents. My constituent Daniel had asked me to help, as these fees have remained unchanged since 2005. This bill unanimously passed the House of Delegates and state Senate. Many thanks to the Virginia Association of Notaries for their support.