 Gov. Ralph Northam signed 80 new pieces of legislation into law, including measures to protect homeowners from foreclosure, shift municipal elections from May to November, provide financial aid to students regardless of immigration status, and repeal women’s health restrictions on the health insurance exchange in Virginia.
“These new measures will support working Virginians, boost civic engagement, and help us continue building a stronger, more inclusive Commonwealth,” said Northam. “I am grateful to the General Assembly for their hard work on these important issues, and I am proud to sign these bills into law.” The new laws signed by Northam include: House Bill 2123, which makes any student eligible for state financial aid if they are eligible for in-state tuition, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. This law will take effect August 1, 2022. House Bill 2165 allows “heirs property” owners to claim property and provides additional time to pay delinquent taxes. House Bill 2175 strengthens protections for homeowners facing foreclosure. House Bill 2013 prohibits school boards from suing families to collect debts on unpaid school meals. Senate Bill 1290 codifies Northam’s ConserveVirginia program, a data-driven Geographical Information Systems model to prioritize potential conservation areas across the Commonwealth. House Bill 1896 removes the prohibition on abortion coverage in any qualified health insurance plan offered through the Virginia state-based exchange. House Bill 2042 allows localities to exceed requirements in tree replacement and conservation efforts, including in development projects. Senate Bill 1157 shifts all municipal elections from May to November, starting in 2022. House Bill 1940, directs the Virginia Department of Education to establish guidelines that permit middle and high school students to attend a civic or political event and receive an excused absence. House Bill 2110 builds on the work started by the Virginia State Crime Commission to collect and study pretrial data across Virginia, including bail, conviction, and sentencing information. House Bill 2250 prohibit the testing of cosmetics on animals and the selling of cosmetics that have been tested on animals beginning in 2022. |
