Del. Lindsey Dougherty

Maddy summaryHJ 159 is a joint resolution commending the Virginia Community College System for its contributions to education and workforce development. It does not create new policies, alter funding, or directly affect any specific individuals or groups through legislative action. The resolution serves as a ceremonial expression of support with no implementation mechanisms or concrete policy changes. This type of resolution is purely symbolic and does not require further legislative action beyond its passage.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HJ 158) formally commends 211 Virginia, a Virginia-based organization providing community support services. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals, organizations, or policies. The resolution passed unanimously in both the House and Senate via voice vote in early March 2026. As a ceremonial measure, it expresses legislative recognition without implementing any concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryHJ 177 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late Honorable Barry D. Knight, a former state official. It has no policy provisions or direct impact on constituents, as it solely commemorates his life and service. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Senate on February 26, 2026, following standard procedural steps for commemorative measures. This type of resolution does not create law or affect any legal rights or obligations.

Day of Remembrance for Victims of Lynching in Virginia. Designates April 13, in 2026 and in each succeeding year, as a Day of Remembrance for Victims of Lynching in Virginia. This resolution is a recommendation of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission.

Family abuse protective orders; other relief. Provides that in cases of family abuse where the court orders a permanent protective order, the court may require a respondent to pay or to contribute to the payment of rent or mortgage on a residence to which a petitioner was granted possession pursuant to such protective order and may further require that a respondent maintain suitable alternative housing and utility services to a residence to which a petitioner was granted possession.

Department of Wildlife Resources; fishing tackle recycling and disposal; educational webpage. Directs the Department of Wildlife Resources to (i) develop, publish, and maintain a dedicated webpage on its website to educate the recreational fishing community and the general public about the importance of responsible recycling and disposal of fishing tackle, as defined in the bill, and (ii) periodically update such webpage to ensure that educational materials are current, relevant, and effective in promoting responsible fishing practices. The bill directs the Department to update the webpage at least every three years in consultation with relevant state agencies and stakeholders.

Public education; early childhood care and education; child care access calculations; report. Requires the Department of Education to establish and maintain calculations for the provision of early childhood care and education services based on cost of quality rate per child, actual data from the prior year, an estimate of parental demand and choice preferences based on historic growth trends and current eligibility criteria, and an estimate of the number of slots to be added to support local or regional economic development efforts and public-private partnerships focused on increasing the supply of child care services, giving priority to localities or regions identified as child care deserts, as determined by the Department. The bill also contains several provisions relating to the use and appropriation of funds as applicable to such calculations, including (i) providing that the calculations shall not obligate the General Assembly to a specific appropriation, (ii) requiring the calculations to be used to provide information to guide the General Assembly in making decisions about the proportion of parental demand for and supply of early childhood care and education services to be addressed and level of appropriation required to address such demand, and (iii) providing that the annual overall funding available for slots shall be subject to appropriation as determined by the General Assembly. The bill also provides that if waitlists for slots at early childhood care and education sites remain, up to $5 million from prior-year unexpended state general funds appropriated for such purpose in a general appropriation act may be carried forward to the current fiscal year to temporarily provide additional slots during the current fiscal year solely to reduce or eliminate waitlists, unless the general appropriation act authorizes a greater amount to be carried forward and that such prior-year funds shall not be used to increase the base amount of funding required in the subsequent fiscal year and the Department shall monitor program utilization and attrition to ensure that no families will lose access at the end of the current fiscal year. Finally, the bill requires the Department to annually submit to the Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education and post on its website a report on the data used to calculate the minimum funding and number of slots for the calculations in accordance with the provisions of the bill. This bill is identical to SB 134.

Minimum wage; farm laborers or farm employees. Eliminates the exemption from Virginia's minimum wage requirements for persons employed as farm laborers or farm employees. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027, and is identical to SB 121.

Minimum wage. Increases the minimum wage incrementally to $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2028. The bill codifies the adjusted state hourly minimum wage of $12.77 per hour that is effective January 1, 2026, and increases the minimum wage to $13.75 per hour effective January 1, 2027, and to $15.00 per hour effective January 1, 2028. Effective January 1, 2029, and annually thereafter, the bill requires the minimum wage to be adjusted to reflect increases in the consumer price index. This bill is identical to SB 1.

Contraception; right to contraception; applicability; enforcement. Establishes a right to obtain contraceptives and engage in contraception, as such terms are defined in the bill. The bill clarifies that none of its provisions shall be construed to permit or sanction the performance of any sterilization procedure without a patient's voluntary and informed consent. The bill creates a cause of action that may be instituted against anyone who infringes on such right. This bill is identical to SB 596.