RICHMOND, VA—The seismic shift created by Virginia voters last year when they elected a Democratic majority to the Virginia House of Delegates yielded a parallel shift in public policy, resulting in landmark legislation taking effect July 1, 2020. These new laws, which benefit Virginians in ways obstructed by past General Assembly majorities, include crucial gun…
Month: June 2020
RICHMOND, VA—The Virginia House Democrats’ numerous measures to combat climate change will go into effect on July 1. Most notably during the historic 2020 legislative session, House Democrats voted to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act, and pushed for the Commonwealth to publicly pledge to fight climate change.…
RICHMOND, VA—July 1 marks the implementation of new laws protecting victims or preventing cases of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking. “I have long been committed to protecting and supporting victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking in Virginia,” said Speaker of the House Eileen Filler-Corn. “I am proud that laws passed…
RICHMOND, VA—House Democrats usher in new legislation aiding the women and girls of Virginia in the workplace, reproductive healthcare, school, and safety, which go into effect on July 1. Specific measures include removing some of the most obstructive and medically-unnecessary restrictions on reproductive rights, promoting equal pay, outlawing pregnancy discrimination, prohibiting schools from adopting dress…
RICHMOND, VA—Virginia House Democrats celebrate their 2020 legislation aimed at addressing racial inequity in Virginia and banning racial discrimination in a multitude of settings, which will go into effect on July 1. New and increased protections against racial discrimination include outlawing racial discrimination based on styles of hair or dress, promoting equal pay regardless of…
RICHMOND, VA—Virginia House Democrats look forward to the implementation of their legislation providing additional assistance for the Commonwealth’s most financially vulnerable residents in the areas of food insecurity and housing protections. Much of this legislation goes into effect on July 1, 2020. “Although food insecurity and affordable housing were important issues for House Democrats to…
RICHMOND, VA—July 1 will mark the beginning of wider protections for LGBTQ+ Virginians going into effect, thanks to numerous bills introduced by House Democrats. These new and stronger safeguards for the LGBTQ+ community include outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, banning conversion therapy for minors, allowing Virginians to receive a…
Racially discriminatory language will soon be repealed from Commonwealth legal code RICHMOND, VA—Today, June 12, marks the 53rd anniversary of the landmark United States Supreme Court decision that laws against interracial marriage in America were unconstitutional, a historic ruling which struck down a Virginia law claiming to promote “racial integrity.” During the 2020 legislative session,…
RICHMOND, VA—The Virginia House Democratic Caucus eagerly anticipate their new laws making voting more accessible and equitable in the Commonwealth, many of which go into effect on July 1, 2020. These pieces of legislation include creating a permanent absentee vote-by-mail program, removing the excuse requirement for absentee voting, enacting same-day registration, establishing Election Day as…
House Democrats’ comprehensive gun reform goes into effect next month RICHMOND, VA—Virginia House Democrats are observing #WearOrange Day on Friday, June 5, the beginning of National Gun Violence Prevention Weekend. Everytown for Gun Safety estimates that an average of 992 gun deaths occur in the Commonwealth each year. This translates to a rate of 11.4…