New Laws Going into Effect July 1

Published on June 30, 2022

Several new laws become effective across Virginia on July 1. This includes legislation pertaining to health care, transportation, economic development, law enforcement and the Commonwealth's budget.

Below is a summary of laws that may be relevant to residents in Arlington County:

Human Services and Health Care

• Marcus Alert System (HB 1191/SB 391): Extends the date for localities to establish voluntary databases with relevant mental health and emergency contact information to be made available to 9-1-1 and the Marcus Alert system to July 1, 2023. This helps create coordination to provide appropriate response from law enforcement when addressing a behavioral health situation.
• Emergency Custody and Temporary Detention (SB 268): States that law enforcement may immediately transfer custody of individuals under an emergency custody order or temporary detention order to an alternative transportation provider (as ordered by a magistrate) to receive behavioral health support at a temporary detention facility.
• Housing for Adults in Foster Care (HB 349): Directs local social services departments to provide housing support for individuals between ages 18 to 21 and who were in foster care under the custody of a local department at the time they turned 18.

Transportation

• Funds for Cost-Reduced Fare Programs (HB 142/SB 342): Changes the percentage of funds that can be allocated from the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) to a minimum of 25% until July 1, 2024, to support implementation of reduced and/or zero-fare initiatives for low-income individuals. It also requires that at least 25% of TRIP funds be used to support regional transit initiatives.
• Fines for Parking in Electric Vehicle Spaces (HB 450/SB 278): Prohibits parking in spots clearly designated for electric vehicle charging stations and establishes a fine structure that penalizes parking of non-electric vehicles or electric vehicles that are not in the process of charging. Arlington County would need to pass a local ordinance to enforce the provisions of this law.
• Bicycle Right of Way (SB 362): Prohibits individuals riding side by side on bicycles, e-scooters, motorized skateboards and other electric-powered mobility devices from interrupting the normal movement of traffic and requires them to move into a single-file formation as quickly as is practicable.

Economic Development

• Alcohol To-Go Program (HB 426/SB 254): Extends delivery program for alcohol and cocktails for off-premises consumption until July 1, 2024.

Law Enforcement

• Loud Exhaust Systems (HB 632): Makes it a primary offense to drive a vehicle on a Virginia highway with an exhaust system that is not in good working order, to prevent unusual or excessive noise levels. Violations are punishable by a fine of no more than that provided for a Class 4 misdemeanor.
• School Safety Training (HB 873): Requires law enforcement agencies in localities that do not employ school resource officers to designate a law enforcement officer to receive training on school safety and to serve as the liaison for administrators in elementary and secondary schools. 

• Marijuana Possession: Changes have been made to lower the amounts of marijuana that individuals 21 and older can possess in public for personal use before facing criminal penalties. Under the new law, personal possession of more than 4 ounces and less than 1 pound of marijuana will be a Class 3 misdemeanor, making it punishable by a $500 fine. Second or subsequent offenses will be Class 2 misdemeanors punishable by up to 6 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

Other

• Standard Deduction: The standard deduction for Virginia taxes will double for single filers to $8,000 and for joint filers to $16,000.
• Tax Rebates: Single filers will receive $250 and joint filers will receive $500.

Find more bills approved or enacted during the Virginia General Assembly’s 2022 Legislative Session. View the 2022-2024 biennium budget.