A summary of some the new laws in Virginia from the Richmond Times-Dispatch:
>>>>State employee raises
The budget includes money for a 5% raise for teachers, state employees, college and university faculty and employees, and state-supported local employees like sheriff’s deputies. State troopers will get an additional 3% raise, plus money for each year of service.
Death penalty
After punting on the issue in 2020, the General Assembly passed measures to make Virginia the first state in the South to end capital punishment.
Voting rights
The legislature approved measures that ban anyone other than law enforcement from possessing guns within 40 feet of polling places on election day, require prepaid postage on envelopes to return absentee ballots and authorize local election officials to designate drop-off locations for ballots. The legislature passed a law to allow voters with disabilities to vote outside a polling place.
K-12 education
Lawmakers passed legislation under which teachers will be evaluated on their level of cultural competence under standards set by the Virginia Board of Education. And they passed legislation requiring schools to be open for in-person learning five days a week.
Immigration
A new law allows a parent who expects to be be incarcerated or deported over an immigration issue to petition a court to approve a guardian for the parent’s minor child.
Workers’ compensation
A new law says that COVID-19 causing the death or disability of health care providers is an occupational disease, and they can be compensated under the Workers’ Compensation Act.
Discrimination protection
State law now includes discrimination on the basis of disability as an unlawful discriminatory practice.
Dogs
A new law forbids pet shop owners from selling or giving away a dog for adoption without a signed statement from the purchaser that they have never been convicted of animal cruelty. Anyone convicted of animal cruelty cannot work at a pet shop or commercial dog breeder.
Guns
The legislature passed a law preventing anyone convicted of assaulting a family member from purchasing or possessing a gun for three years. The legislature wrote into law bans on guns in the state Capitol and state buildings and a ban on guns on Capitol grounds.
Police
The legislature passed a law stopping police agencies from using controversial “facial-recognition” technology.
Public records
A new law requires criminal investigative files in cases that are old or closed to be released to the public within 65 days of the request.
Bicycle safety
A new law requires motorists to change lanes when passing someone riding a bicycle if the lane doesn’t allow the motorist at least three feet of clearance from the bicycle when passing.
Littering fines
The maximum penalty for littering or dumping trash goes from $250 to $500.
Releasing balloons
People grieving a dead loved one often release helium balloons in ceremonies, but the legislature cracked down, passing a law that forbids intentional release of a balloon outdoors. The law also forbids adults from telling children to release balloons. Punishment is a $25 civil penalty per balloon.<<<<
Also some of Virginia’s confusing marijuana laws also take effect July 1st. This article may help answer some of your questions about the new law. More answers on the timetable for using, buying, and selling marijuana here.