VIRGINIA STATE LAWS
LAW CONFIRMATION
SB 72 — Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Low-Income Residents
Law: SB 72 / Chapter 985, Acts of Assembly 2026
Official Title: An Act to reduce heating-related costs of living for low-income residents by requiring certain electric utilities to provide energy efficiency upgrades; report.
Status: Enacted in 2026. The House agreed to the Governor's recommendation 65–33 on April 22, 2026.
Effective Date: The act became law in 2026; its utility implementation and reporting requirements operate according to the dates specified in the act.
Primary Source: Virginia Legislative Information System.
LAW SUMMARY
WHAT IT DOES
Requires certain large electric utilities to make reasonable efforts to provide energy-efficiency upgrades to qualifying low-income households.
Sets a target of reaching at least 30% of qualifying households by December 31, 2031, subject to the law's feasibility provisions.
Defines a qualifying low-income resident using income thresholds based on state, local, or federal poverty measures.
Targets households that rely on fuel delivered and stored on-site for heating, cooking, or water heating.
Requires qualifying efficiency measures to be designed to lower annual heating-related energy costs.
Requires consideration of improvements that reduce onsite air pollution and improve indoor air quality.
Requires utilities to report their activities and progress to the State Corporation Commission.
Allows the Commission to provide performance-based incentives to utilities.
Requires utilities to work with state agencies to use available funding sources where feasible to reduce program costs.
Cost to taxpayers/employers:
The law does not establish a general tax on taxpayers or employers. Utilities will incur program and administrative costs, although the act directs them to seek state and federal funding where feasible to reduce total program costs.
Who it affects:
Low-income Virginia households served by covered utilities, electric utilities, the State Corporation Commission, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Who sponsored/initiated it:
The official legislative record identifies Sen. Dave Marsden as the Senate patron of SB 72.
Who opposed/concerns raised:
The House vote after the Governor's recommendation was 65–33, demonstrating significant opposition. The official vote record does not establish one single reason shared by all 33 opposing members, so I won't speculate about their individual concerns.
✅ PROS
Can reduce heating and energy costs for qualifying low-income households.
Targets households that may have inefficient heating systems.
Includes indoor-air-quality considerations.
Encourages use of existing state and federal funding.
Requires utilities to report progress publicly to regulators.
❌ CONS
Utilities will have additional program and administrative responsibilities.
Program costs can ultimately affect utility finances and potentially rate structures.
The 30% target is subject to feasibility review and can be adjusted.
Qualifying households must meet specific eligibility conditions.
WHAT IT DOES
SB 72 requires covered Virginia electric utilities to make reasonable efforts to provide energy-efficiency upgrades to qualifying low-income households, with the goal of reducing heating costs and improving indoor air quality.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU
If you are a low-income Virginia household served by a covered electric utility, you may qualify for energy-efficiency improvements that can reduce heating-related energy costs.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY
SB 72 directs Virginia's major electric utilities to expand energy-efficiency assistance for qualifying low-income households, with the goal of lowering energy costs while improving household efficiency and indoor air quality.
LAW CONFIRMATION
HB 1490 — Centralized Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline
Law: HB 1490 / Chapter 865, Acts of Assembly 2026
Official Title: An Act to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3803, 2.2-3815, 63.2-105, 63.2-1502, 63.2-1503, 63.2-1508, 63.2-1509, 63.2-1512, and 63.2-1530 of the Code of Virginia and Chapter 604 of the Acts of Assembly of 2017; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 63.2-1510.1; and to repeal § 63.2-1510 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Social Services; centralized hotline for reports or complaints of child abuse or neglect.
Status: Enacted as Chapter 865 in 2026.
Effective Date: The centralized-intake provisions become effective July 1, 2027, with implementation phased in from July 1, 2028 through July 1, 2030.
Primary Source: Virginia Legislative Information System.
LAW SUMMARY
WHAT IT DOES
Establishes a centralized statewide child-abuse and neglect hotline within the Virginia Department of Social Services.
Requires the hotline to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Requires reports to be recorded in the state's child-welfare information system.
Requires the Department of Social Services to assess complaints and determine whether they are valid.
Requires valid complaints to be immediately forwarded to the appropriate local department for investigation or family assessment.
Requires certain mandatory reporters to report suspected abuse or neglect to the centralized hotline.
Creates a process for handling cases where an employee of a local department of social services is suspected of abusing or neglecting a child.
Requires such cases to be assigned to a different local department or, in certain circumstances, evaluated through the court service unit.
Requires regulations ensuring that valid complaints involving children under age three receive a response within 24 hours.
Requires a third-party study of Virginia's child-protective-services screening process.
Implements the centralized system through a phased transition rather than switching every locality at once.
Cost to taxpayers/employers:
The law requires the Department of Social Services to establish and operate the centralized system and conduct a third-party review, creating administrative and implementation costs for the state. It does not impose a general tax on employers.
Who it affects:
Children and families, mandatory reporters such as teachers and health-care professionals, local departments of social services, the Virginia Department of Social Services, law enforcement, courts, and child-protective-services workers.
Who sponsored/initiated it:
The legislation was introduced in the House by Del. Adele McClure? The official legislative record lists Tran, Cohen, Gardner, Shin, Carroll, Cole, Hernandez, Maldonado, McClure, Sewell among the House patrons.
Who opposed/concerns raised:
The Senate passed HB 1490 on a 40–0 vote on March 9, 2026. The official record therefore shows unanimous support at that stage. I could not verify a unified opposition position from the official sources, so I won't speculate.
✅ PROS
Creates one statewide system for reporting child abuse and neglect.
Provides a 24/7 centralized hotline.
Can make reporting easier for mandatory reporters.
Creates an independent process when a local social-services employee is accused of abusing a child.
Requires faster responses for valid complaints involving children under three.
Creates additional oversight through a statewide screening-process review.
❌ CONS
Establishing and operating a centralized system creates additional state costs.
Local departments must change existing intake procedures.
The transition will take several years.
Centralizing intake creates additional responsibilities for the Department of Social Services.
Mandatory reporters must adapt to the new reporting process.
WHAT IT DOES
HB 1490 moves Virginia toward a centralized statewide system for receiving and screening child-abuse and neglect reports, with a 24/7 hotline and a phased transition away from local intake responsibilities.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU
If you are a Virginia parent, caregiver, teacher, health-care professional, or other mandatory reporter, the law changes how suspected child abuse or neglect is reported and processed. It is designed to create a more consistent statewide intake system.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY
HB 1490 restructures Virginia's child-protection reporting system by creating a centralized 24/7 hotline, strengthening oversight, and establishing faster response requirements for certain young children.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: SB 854
Official Title: Consumer Data Protection Act; Social Media Platforms, Minor User Protections
Effective Date: January 1, 2026 (enacted in 2025 session)
Primary Sources: Virginia General Assembly; Virginia Code updates; legislative bill records
LAW SUMMARY
What it does:
• Requires social media platforms to add stronger protections for users under age 16 in Virginia.
• Limits minors to 1 hour of daily use per platform unless a parent gives permission for extended access.
• Requires platforms to offer parental supervision and privacy protections for minor accounts.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: NOT SPECIFIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS
Who it affects: Minors under age 16, parents, schools, technology companies, app developers, and social media platforms operating in Virginia
Who sponsored or initiated it: Virginia State Senate during the 2025 General Assembly session
Who opposed it or concerns raised: Some digital rights advocates and technology groups raised concerns about privacy verification, enforcement challenges, and parental data collection requirements
✅ PROS
• Gives parents more control over children’s social media use
• May reduce excessive screen time among minors
• Adds stronger privacy protections for young users
• Creates accountability for tech platforms operating in Virginia
❌ CONS
• Could raise privacy concerns around age verification systems
• May be difficult for platforms to enforce accurately
• Critics argue teens may find workarounds or use alternate accounts
• Could increase compliance costs for app companies
WHAT IT DOES
• Limits social media use for minors under 16 to one hour per platform per day unless parents approve more access.
• Requires covered platforms to build tools for parental oversight and child account protections.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU
• If you are a parent in Virginia → this gives you more control over your child’s screen time
• If you are under 16 → your social media access may automatically be time-limited
• If you run a tech platform → your app may need compliance updates
• Because the law regulates youth online activity → it directly affects digital privacy and platform design statewide
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Virginia SB 854 puts new limits on social media use for minors under 16, adds parental controls, and makes Virginia one of the states pushing stronger youth online safety rules.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: SB 854
Official Title: Consumer Data Protection Act; social media platforms; responsibilities and prohibitions related to minors
Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Primary Sources: Virginia General Assembly – SB 854 (lis.virginia.gov)
LAW SUMMARY
What it does: Limits the amount of time social media platforms can allow minors to use their services daily.
Requires platforms to provide safety features and parental controls.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: NOT SPECIFIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS
Who it affects: Social media companies and minors who use their platforms.
Who sponsored or initiated it: NOT SPECIFIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS
Who opposed it or concerns raised: Some tech industry groups raised concerns about operational challenges.
✅ PROS
• Protects minors from excessive social media use
• Encourages safer online environments
• Adds transparency and parental control tools
❌ CONS
• Could increase compliance costs for platforms
• May limit user experience for minors
• Possible enforcement complexity
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Virginia will enforce daily time limits for minors on social media starting in 2026. Platforms must provide safety and parental control features.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: SB 1466 / HB 2723
Official Title: Criminal Record Sealing Statutes (Clean Slate Law)
Effective Date: July 1, 2026
Primary Sources: Virginia State Crime Commission – Criminal Record Sealing Update (vscc.virginia.gov)
LAW SUMMARY
What it does: Expands eligibility for sealing certain criminal records.
Automates sealing for qualifying non-violent offenses after a set period.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: NOT SPECIFIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS
Who it affects: People with qualifying criminal records and employers who review records.
Who sponsored or initiated it: NOT SPECIFIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS
Who opposed it or concerns raised: Some law enforcement groups expressed concerns about public safety and record accessibility.
✅ PROS
• Gives individuals a chance to move on after non-violent offenses
• Reduces long-term barriers to employment and housing
• Automates part of the record sealing process
❌ CONS
• Concerns about public safety access to criminal history
• Employers may face challenges verifying records
• Administrative oversight needed for automated sealing
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Virginia’s Clean Slate law will make it easier to seal qualifying criminal records starting July 2026, helping individuals rebuild after non-violent offenses.
LAW #1: BACK-SEAT SEATBELT LAW (HB 2475)
Statute / Bill: HB 2475 — seat belt requirement for all adult passengers in vehicles. (Fairfax County)
Effective: July 1, 2025. (Fairfax County)
What it does: Requires all adult passengers in any seat (front or back) of a vehicle on public highways to wear seat belts. Previously, only front-seat adult passengers were required by law. (Fairfax County)
Cost to taxpayers / state budget: Minimal state-cost. Some costs for signage, enforcement training; law enforcement may incur some cost to enforce. (Fairfax County)
Who it helps / affects
Helps: Passengers (in back seats) whose safety increases; reduces injury risk in crashes.
Affects: Drivers (who are responsible for back-seat passengers); law enforcement; possibly insurers (if fewer crash injuries).
Who sponsored / who opposed: Sponsored in the Virginia General Assembly (bill text and legislative summaries list it among the laws passed). (pendercoward.com)
Opposition likely from those who argue enforcement burdens or personal freedom; some concerns about secondary enforcement (can only issue seatbelt fines if driver is already stopped for another violation). (Fairfax County)
✅ PROS
Increased safety for all vehicle occupants.
May reduce medical costs from vehicle accidents where unbelted back-seat passengers are injured.
❌ CONS
Additional enforcement burden.
Some may see it as governmental overreach.
Fines for violations may disproportionately impact certain populations.
LAW #2: EXPANSION FOR TEMPORARILY EMPLOYED TEACHERS (SB 1230 / HB 2201)
Statute / Bill: SB 1230 / HB 2201 — extends maximum days a school board may employ a temporary teacher. (LegiScan)
Effective: July 1, 2025; with sunset / expiration of July 1, 2027. (LegiScan)
What it does: Raises the limit: school boards can now employ a “temporary teacher” for up to 180 teaching days in one school year (up from 90 days), under defined circumstances and restrictions. (LegiScan)
Cost to taxpayers / state budget: Additional cost for paying temporary teachers for longer; possibly benefits to school districts having more flexibility in staffing. (LegiScan)
Who it helps / affects
Helps: Schools that struggle to fill teacher vacancies; students benefit from less disruption if temporary teachers can stay longer.
Affects: Teachers in temporary positions; school boards (must plan for longer engagements); possibly budgeting in school divisions.
Who sponsored / who opposed: Introduced in the 2025 VA General Assembly; known in legislative summaries. (LegiScan)
Opposition might include those who believe temporary staff shouldn’t hold longer roles or that continuity is preferred with fully licensed/tenured teachers.
✅ PROS
More stability for students when teacher turnover is high.
Gives districts more leeway to address unexpected staffing gaps.
❌ CONS
Temporary teachers may lack full training or certification; longer employment could dilute standards.
Budget impacts if many districts use this extension heavily.
LAW #3: RECORD SEALING / EXPUNGEMENT REFORMS
Statute / Law: Virginia 2025 law updating record sealing and expungement rules. (Collateral Consequences Resource Center)
Effective: Most changes delayed until July 1, 2026 (for sealing certain convictions) though some parts begin earlier. (Collateral Consequences Resource Center)
What it does: Expands eligibility to seal ancillary offenses (probation violations, failures to appear, bond appeals) when the main conviction is sealed. (Collateral Consequences Resource Center)
Removes filing fees and some process costs for expungement / record sealing petitions. (Collateral Consequences Resource Center)
Eliminates the requirement for counsel in certain record-sealing / expungement petitions (because found to be unworkable) in some provisions. (Collateral Consequences Resource Center)
Cost to taxpayers / state budget: Some cost savings for individuals; some administrative cost to courts/petition offices.
Possibly increases in workload for courts. (Collateral Consequences Resource Center)
Who it helps / affects
Helps: Individuals with criminal records seeking a clean slate; people burdened by minor or ancillary offenses.
Affects: Courts / clerks (processing more petitions), law enforcement record offices; possible impact on background check users.
Who sponsored / who opposed: Part of Virginia’s 2025 legislation; reforms sought by criminal justice / legal reform advocates. (Collateral Consequences Resource Center)
Some opposition likely from those concerned with public safety or transparency in record access.
✅ PROS
Improves fairness; helps reduce barriers to employment / housing etc. for people with sealed convictions.
Lowers financial burden for individuals seeking sealing/expungement.
❌ CONS
Courts may be overloaded; backlog possible.
Some risk that sealed records reduce transparency for legitimate public safety or employer concerns.
LAW #4: BABY FOOD PROTECTION ACT (HB 1844)
Statute / Bill: HB 1844 — Baby Food Protection Act. (dls.virginia.gov)
Effective: January 1, 2026, except where otherwise noted. (dls.virginia.gov)
What it does: Prohibits selling or distributing baby food that contains certain toxic heavy metals above FDA limits. (dls.virginia.gov)
Requires manufacturers to test their baby food products for those harmful heavy metals. (dls.virginia.gov)
Requires labeling or information on the manufacturer’s website and/or product packaging concerning heavy metal content. (dls.virginia.gov)
Also charges the VA Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services with convening a work group to study current enforcement and to recommend further steps. (dls.virginia.gov)
Cost to taxpayers / state budget: Cost to state agencies to enforce, set up testing/regulatory oversight.
Manufacturers absorb cost of testing and changes; possible cost passed to consumers.
Who it helps / affects
Helps: Infants and families (reducing exposure to heavy metals in baby food); public health interests.
Affects: Baby food manufacturers; retailers; possibly consumers if prices increase.
Who sponsored / who opposed: Passed by VA General Assembly; part of public health / food safety priorities. (dls.virginia.gov)
Likely support from health advocates; potential opposition from industry wary of costs.
✅ PROS
Health protection for vulnerable infants.
Helps ensure safer products and better labeling transparency.
❌ CONS
Costs to manufacturers/testing could increase costs of baby food.
Enforcement and oversight burdens on state agencies.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Virginia’s 2025 session passed several laws effective July 1 (and some later): requiring seatbelts for all passengers, extending how long temporary teachers can serve, expanding record-sealing rights, and implementing tough limits / testing on heavy metals in baby food. Overall, these changes lean toward public safety, health, and fairness, but with trade-offs in costs, enforcement, and implementation.