Companion bills SB 101 and HB 174 were introduced in the event that the US Supreme Court reverses its landmark 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, something that’s been theorized could happen following the Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, another landmark case.
Democrats passed bills to protect patients and abortion providers against legal action and to expand access to contraception. They rejected a near-total abortion ban and another proposal to prohibit state funding from going to any hospital or facility where abortion care is provided.
State Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), who introduced SB 1, has warned Youngkin that he’d see a change in the Democrats’ “cooperative tone” if he vetoes the minimum wage bill.
“Crossover Day” in the Virginia General Assembly is the day in the legislative session bills must pass by in their respective chambers in order to be considered in the other chamber. In other words, a bill must pass in the House of Delegates before it can even be considered in the Senate, and vice versa. This year, that day is Feb. 13. If a bill doesn’t pass one chamber by then, it’s done for the year.
Democrats defeated a near-total abortion ban introduced by Republicans and passed a bill to improve access to contraception by eliminating certain copays, cost-sharing requirements, reimbursement requirements, and coverage delays.
A 2023 study from the Virginia Education Association (VEA) found that estimated average teacher pay in the commonwealth was just over $62,100 annually—more than $6,300 below the estimated national average for the job.
Senate Bill 642 would make it illegal for anyone to purchase or possess a firearm after they have been found guilty of assault and battery against someone they are dating.
The legislation, along with its companion bill, Senate Bill 1, would raise Virginia’s minimum wage from the current rate of $12 per hour to $13.50 in 2025 and to $15 in 2026.
