There’s something special about a bill you’ve fought for becoming a law. As a new legislator, I’m both excited and humbled that several bills I’ve championed are now officially the law of Virginia.
Based on a conversation with a woman who had the courage to come forward and discuss with our office a sexual assault that happened to her while a student at one of our institutions of higher education, we crafted a law to remove barriers to reporting of sexual violence on college campuses. Today, as a result of that law, institutions of higher education in Virginia must have a good samaritan provision that ensures those who come forward as victims or witnesses of sexual violence are not disciplined for minor alcohol or drug-related infractions of the student code of conduct.
Another bill I patronned ensures that today, nonprofit clinics in Virginia are able to dispense prescription medications. This ensures that many more Virginians can have access to insulin, birth control, or other critical medications when they see a provider.
Today, so many bills that we fought so hard for during our campaign become law. The many bills I worked on as a member of the Public Safety Committee that will help combat gun violence in Virginia, including universal background checks and extreme risk protection orders, become law. The Virginia Clean Economy Act which ensures that most of our power sector is 100% renewable by 2045 becomes law. Voter suppression laws come off the books – enabling no-excuse absentee voting and making Election Day a state holiday. Virginia becomes the first state in the South to explicitly prohibit discrimination against our LGBTQ community in housing and employment. A bill I championed to decriminalize marijuana becomes law.
There’s a lot of work that remains, and I’m looking forward to participating in upcoming hearings of the Public Safety Committee as we tackle criminal justice and police reform and to our August Special Session where we will take additional steps to address COVID-19.
But today, for a moment, I hope we can all celebrate the progress Virginia has made. I appreciate each of you who has been a part of it.
Forward Virginia: Phase 3
Today, all of Virginia, including Northern Virginia, is entering Phase 3. This includes the following changes:
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Removal of the caps on capacity from previous phases in bars & restaurants
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Bar seating will remain closed
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Gyms & pools may operate at 75% capacity
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Entertainment facilities may operate at 50% capacity
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Gatherings may include up to 250 individuals
Face coverings will remain mandatory in indoor public places, and safer-at-home teleworking and physical distancing guidelines remain the same. COVID-19 cases have started to flatten and the positivity rate from testing has declined, but that is no reason to let our guard down.
Wear a mask. It is one of the most important things we can do to keep our community and our loved ones safe. I was glad to join colleagues and community leaders in sharing why it’s so critical that we all do our part to fight the virus by wearing face masks.
I am continuing to monitor cases in our Commonwealth, and remain in close contact with local officials and health experts to ensure we are doing what we can to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Rent & Mortgage Relief
Governor Northam, along with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, has announced the creation of the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program to help homeowners and renters hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis.
Per the DHCD:
“The Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP) is designed to support and ensure housing stability across the commonwealth during the coronavirus pandemic. Depending on availability of funds and household need, the RMRP may provide financial assistance for rent or mortgage payments for eligible households. This includes financial assistance for rent or mortgage payments past due beginning April 1, 2020 and onward. Financial assistance is a one-time payment with opportunity for renewal based on availability of funding and the household’s need for additional assistance and continued eligibility.”
Click here to see if you might be eligible.
School Reopening Plans
Fairfax County Public Schools has released its Return to School Plan for the 2020-2021 school year. The Plan has two options. Families may note their preference for full-time online instruction where students take part in virtual face-to-face instruction four days per week. The other option is for students to receive two days of instruction in school each week and engage in independent study and work on the three days they are not at school. Under either option, one day each week will be set aside for teacher planning and extra support for some students. More details about FCPS’s plan can be found here. Parents should have received a form to state their preference and will have until Friday, July 10 to select a learning option.
Prince William County Public Schools continues to work on its Return to New Learning Plan for the 2020-2021 academic year. The School Board will be receiving updates prior to a July 8 work session and is expected to vote on the plan on July 15 and share details of that plan with the public immediately thereafter. Updates, when available, may be found here.
Favorites of the 40th
The site of the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum played a critical role in the Civil War as a supply and medical evacuation site. The Museum teaches about Civil War history and railroading, and the role of this station in Northern Virginia’s history. I’ve enjoyed visiting it several times with my children and for events.
Unfortunately, the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum has been closed since mid-March due to COVID-19. According to Bob Lamond, Jr., a member of the Museum’s Board of Directors, “in addition to not being able to bring in revenue from our weekly admissions, we have also had almost all of our rental functions cancelled. These combined factors have obviously greatly impacted our financial wellbeing. Further, it may be all but impossible for us to reopen under Phase 3 social distancing restrictions due to the small size of our museum.”
The museum would be very grateful for any donations the community can offer by going to the museum’s website and clicking on the PayPal donation links. While you’re there, do a virtual tour of the museum.
Jack Migliaccio, President of the Friends of Fairfax Station says, “we very much miss our friends and visitors for these past months and hope you will watch our virtual tours on Facebook Live until we can open again!”
As always, if there is anything my office can do to help you — whether you are having difficulty accessing a state agency or need access to critical resources, please let me know. I hope you stay well and have a wonderful July 4th weekend celebrating our country.
Warm Regards,
Dan