Thursday, August 20, 2020

Virginia Assembly: Day 3 Virginia Senate Update

 

The Virginia Legislature "Special Session" day is underway and the Virginia Senate meeting at the Science Museum of Virginia on West Broad Street in Richmond is taking up various bills today coming from the Senate Education and Health Committee.


         Science Museum of Virginia - Wikipedia

The Senate has determined to combine three bills (S.B.  5026, 5150, 5081) into one bill that has passed unanimously. These bills address that matter in which the public is informed with regard to outbreaks, location, cases and deaths resulting from said outbreak.

The Senate has also advanced S.B 5004 calling for every school building in the Commonwealth to have a School Nurse on site. This bill while passing was referred back to Finance Committee.

One bill that appears stalled is the bill relating to the prevention of evictions during the pandemic.  The Senate has put off this bill until next session in January. Virginia experienced a 16% rent failure rate in the month of July. It is believed that some 262,000 Virginians are "at risk" for evictions due to the pandemic.

Other measures under consideration:

SB5116-  In Home service verification by Department of Medical Assistance; electronic verification system

SB5114- Requires each School Board to make available in person instruction to each enrolled student when an area is determined not to have adequate internet services

SB5109- Provides that employees and residents of nursing homes receive priority testing for Covid-19

SB5064- Employer reporting of Covid-19 for each workplace with 30+ employees to health services

SB5028- Emergency Services and Disaster Law- Prohibits any Governor from issue any rule, regulation or under under his powers under Emergency Services that affects the operation of any public or private elementary or secondary school in Virginia. Bill also makes it so the State Board of Health cannot issue such order either.

SB5076- Paid Sick Leave during Covid-19 crisis from public and private employers for full or part time employees if the Governor has declared a state of emergency in response to health threat.  (FAILED)

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