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.
The average family of four spends $3,200 per year on junk fees, according to a survey conducted by Consumer Reports.
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.
Now, both bills must pass in opposite chambers before they are sent to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk for his consideration.
Senate Bill 373 and House Bill 737 would adopt the model used for unemployment insurance to cover the cost of up to 12 weeks of paid leave in a year. This time could be used to adjust to caring for a new child, to care for a sick family member, or to deal with a personal health condition.
One measure would make it illegal to have any hand in the sale, manufacture, transfer, or purchase of assault firearms.
House Bill 570 would establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, which would be responsible for analyzing the affordability of certain high-priced prescription drugs and then instituting price limits to protect consumers from the highest cost of drugs.
As the bill itself states, this legislation would “provide a more generous paid sick leave policy” to many of Virginia’s most vulnerable workers, and that’s why state Democrats are advocating for it.
Eli Lilly, Sanofi, and Novo Nordisk’s price cuts are expected to benefit many Virginians who need insulin to survive. The companies first announced the moves last year, as a response to an American Rescue Plan provision that threatened to penalize them if they kept prices high.
