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Change does him good Rob Bell’s reading list |
Rob Bell carried 22 bills this year, a drop off from the 35 he patroned last year due in large part to the demands of chairing the mental health subcommittee. Here are the 13 that made it out of the House—of these, only HB 996, which restricts bail for convicted violent felons before they are sentenced, faced noteworthy opposition. They all still must get past the Senate as well as the Governor.
HB 559
One of the mental health bills. Substantially expands the allowable reasons for detaining a defendant for pre-trial psychiatric treatment.
HB 560
Another mental health bill. It makes numerous changes to the involuntary commitment procedures.
HB 989
School’s not out ’til summer, hotshots. Shifts the start date of the UVA Board of Visitors to July from March so that it’s more in line with the budget process.
HB 990
A cosmetic relief. Updates Virginia’s pyramid scheme law to ensure that it does not prohibit direct marketing by companies like Mary Kay and Creative Memories.
HB 991
Ball goes back to David Slutzky. Allows development rights to be sold to a middleman, if Albemarle County opts for a transferable development rights program.
HB 995
Peeping toms of the digital age, beware! Increases the third offense of unlawful filming to a Class 6 felony from a Class 1 misdemeanor.
HB 996
Makes a judge presume no bail for a violent offender who has been convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
HB 999
Dog fighters, beware! Makes dog owners across the state post bond if their pooches are taken away because of cruelty.
HB 1000
PVCC could win big. Allows community college scholarship funds to get donations from the state tax refund checkoff.
HB 1003
Nursing stat geeks, this is for you. Requires that the Department of Health Professions website publish data about the state’s nursing workforce.
HB 1005
Another mental health bill. This one makes universities set up procedures to notify parents when their child receives mental health treatment and is considered likely to be a danger to himself or others.
HB 1242
Jonathan Spiveys of the world, beware! This bill makes a school fire an employee who has a “founded case” of physical or sexual abuse of a child.
HB 1395
Cops, prepare to hit the books. Requires law enforcement agencies to establish policies for responding to sexual assaults.