New Laws Take Effect July 1, 2023

Prohibits China or any "foreign adversary" from purchasing agricultural land in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Makes it easier for individuals to qualify for a Virginia occupational license if they have met licensing standards in another state.

Prevents employers from requiring employees to sign NDAs with the purpose of concealing a sexual harassment claim, and voids any NDA that attempts to do so.

Requires employees with disabilities hired after July 1, 2023 to be paid the state minimum wage. Employees with disabilities hired before that date and who were subject to an exemption to the minimum wage will see a phased increase in wages over the next seven years.

Consolidates various workforce development and apprenticeship programs under the administration of a new agency, the Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.

Imposes additional regulation of hemp-derived products that contain intoxicating THC. Includes a permitting system, stricter labeling rules and limits the level of THC in retail hemp products.

Prohibits advertising of cannabis and related products, including synthetic THC, unless those products are legal for sale in Virginia. Includes restrictions on advertising that targets minors.

Increases the jury duty allowance from $30 to $50 per day.

Makes it a felony to threaten to publicize nude photos of a person in order to coerce them into performing sexual acts.

Allows local law enforcement chiefs to declare a curfew under certain circumstances during a civil disturbance. The curfew may not last longer than 24 hours without approval from the local governing body, and must specify the time of curfew and the area covered.

Requires courts to appoint two attorneys to represent indigent defendants charged with a Class 1 felony, including first-degree murder.

Restricts the use of solitary confinement and requires that anyone subject to solitary confinement receive a minimum of four hours of activities out of their cell per day.

Creates a presumption that someone not in the auto repair business who is in possession of a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle is guilty of theft.

Persons who make false reports of an emergency can be charged with a felony if the emergency response results in serious harm or death.

Creates a specific law outlawing assault and battery against public transportation drivers. Conviction includes a ban from public transportation for at least 6 months.

Adds the manufacture or distribution of fentanyl-laced products to the state law banning "weapons of terrorism."

Requires state law enforcement agencies to notify school systems within 48 hours of the arrest of a school employee for a felony or Class 1 misdemeanor. School systems must designate an employee to receive such reports.

Requires schools to inform parents within 24 hours if their child is involved in an alleged bullying incident.

Requires threat assessment teams at institutions of higher education to report certain threats to campus police, local law enforcement and the local Commonwealth's Attorney.

Extends eligibility for the Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program to the descendants of people who lived in jurisdictions in Virginia where public schools were closed to avoid desegregation between 1954 and 1964 and whose educations were affected by the school closings.

Removes the witness signature requirement on mail ballots and instead requires those voting by mail to provide the last four digits of their Social Security number.

Creates an income tax credit of up to $300 for the purchase of firearm safety devices, including gun safes and locks, for taxable years 2023 through 2027.

Removes switchblade knives from the list of concealed weapons that are prohibited from being carried in public. Adds stiletto knives to the prohibited list.

Requires public bodies to list fee assessments and pricing for Freedom of Information Act requests, either on their website or in a written policy.

Removes provisions that exempted certain records related to Parole Board deliberations and decisions from disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

In emergency declarations, prohibits the governor from imposing closures or limitations on places of worship that are more restrictive than those placed on businesses and secular organizations.

Removes requirement that health care providers maintain a physical presence in the Commonwealth to be eligible to serve Medicaid patients.

Requires health insurance providers to cover hearing aids for minors, when recommended by a doctor.

Requires the Department of Historic Resources and other government agencies to create historic site signs identifying locations and businesses in the Commonwealth that were safe for traveling Black Americans during the Jim Crow era.

Allows tenants to end their lease and receive a full refund of all deposits and rent paid if the premises contain serious health or safety risks that existed at the beginning of residency.

Requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to conduct a housing needs assessment for the state every five years, along with a housing plan. Also requires localities to submit annual reports listing changes to housing policies.

Requires pornographic websites to verify the age of users and prevent children under the age of 18 from accessing pornography.

Requires towing and recovery operators to allow the owner of a towed vehicle to retrieve personal items without paying a fee.

Prohibits the use of blue headlights on motor vehicles.

Strengthens the State Corporation Commission's authority to review the earnings of electric utilities and to adjust rates paid by electric customers downward if utility earning exceeds established ranges. Previously, utilities could keep some profits that exceeded the upper range. The SCC authority takes effect for rate reviews starting in 2024.