Contact: Lauren Keiser | (757) 741-8866

RICHMOND, VA – Delegate Amanda Batten (R⎯James City County) successfully carried ten bills through the House of Delegates prior to the passage deadline for bills that originated in their respective chambers. The legislation focused on pragmatic policies to help victims of human trafficking and to address concerns surrounding learning loss, mental health care, election integrity, and school bus driver shortages.

“Last fall, I campaigned to get students back in the classroom, bolster mental health care, restore confidence in our elections, and allow taxpayers to keep more of their hard-earned dollars. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to pass these legislative priorities into law so we can ensure a bright future for our Commonwealth,” stated Delegate Batten.

Legislation 

HB526 allows non-Virginia students who are in the Commonwealth as a result of being a victim of human trafficking to be eligible for in-state tuition at Virginia public colleges and universities.

HB528 requires any individual or organization that sends an unrequested absentee ballot application to a registered voter to include instructions on how to complete and submit the application. Additionally, it will require a statement that the application is not sent by any state or local government official or agency and disallow information pre-population on the application.

HB530 addresses the bus driver shortage by authorizing governmental entities such as community colleges certified as third party testers to test and train drivers employed by another governmental entity or enrolled in a commercial driver training course.

HB537 expands telemedicine by allowing specific health care workers who hold an active, unrestricted license in another state to provide continuity of care for Virginia patients, provided that there is an existing practitioner-patient relationship.

HB539 requires Virginia public colleges and universities to include a disclosure to applicants that certain criminal offenses may disqualify applicants from pursuing a specific course of study or residing in on-campus housing.

HB542 reclassifies assistant registrars as deputy registrars.

HB544 allows voters to opt-in to a photo ID requirement individually.

HB936 removes the sunset clause for the sales tax exemption on gold, silver, and platinum bullion and legal tender coins and ends the restriction that only purchases over $1,000 are tax exempt.

HB1093 gives local school boards the option to require a cultural competency evaluation and training for teachers after holding a public hearing before electing to make that requirement. Currently, the law requires cultural competence training and does not include reference to public hearings on this matter.

HB1272 requires each school board to offer in-person instruction to public school students and makes masks optional for students based on the decisions of their respective parents or guardians.

Delegate Amanda Batten represents the 96th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. The 96th District includes portions of James City and York Counties. Batten is currently serving her second term in the Virginia House of Delegates and is a member of the following House Committees: Education, Commerce & Energy, Public Safety, and Rules.