RICHMOND, VA – The House of Delegates today passed legislation that will protect voting rights and prioritize support for Virginians during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The House passed bills that will protect housing security for individuals and families affected by COVID-19, improve transparency requirements for congregate-care facilities, increase access to vital telemedicine and protect mail-in absentee voting, among others. The House also passed legislation establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday.
“The House of Delegates is taking action to provide essential support for our Commonwealth’s families, workers and healthcare system,’ Speaker of the House Eileen Filler-Corn said. “We have also taken steps today to ensure we protect Virginians’ sacred voting rights from interference – whether from a pandemic or the Postmaster General. There is nothing more vital to our democracy than the right to vote. Virginians deserve to have their voices heard this November.”
Bills passed in the House today…
Supporting Safe, Secure Voting:
HB 5103 Establishing ballot drop boxes, supporting pre-paid postage for absentee ballots and making it safer to vote by mail-in absentee ballot.
COVID-19 Relief:
HB 5041 Directing the Board of Health and Social Services to adopt regulations for voluntary electronic monitoring at nursing homes.
HB 5046 Advancing innovations in telehealth.
HB 5048 Mandating transparency requirements for congregate-care facilities during a public health emergency.
HB 5064 Providing rent repayment plan opportunities for tenants negatively impacted by COVID-19.
HB 5115 Protecting housing security for individuals and families negatively impacted by COVID-19.
Making Virginia More Equitable:
HB 5052 Codifying Juneteenth as an official holiday in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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