RICHMOND, Va. (AP) 鈥� Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam says he’s signed .
Among them is a measure that will end a ban on abortion coverage for insurance plans offered through the health benefits exchange in Virginia.
The abortion legislation undoes a ban enacted during Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell鈥檚 administration that contained very narrow exceptions.
The legislation will allow insurers to cover abortion services but will not require them to.
Northam’s office says he also signed bills that will shift municipal elections from May to November prohibit school boards from suing families to collect debts on unpaid school meals.
The new laws signed by Northam include the following, according to a news release from the governor’s office:
- , sponsored by Delegate Alfonso Lopez, and , sponsored by Senator Jennifer Boysko, make any student eligible for state financial aid if they are eligible for in-state tuition, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. This law will take effect Aug 1, 2022.
- , sponsored by Delegate Patrick Hope, allows 鈥渉eirs property鈥� owners to claim property and provides additional time to pay delinquent taxes. This law is a recommendation from the established by Northam in 2019.
- , sponsored by Delegate Luke Torian, and , sponsored by Senator Jennifer McClellan, strengthen protections for homeowners facing foreclosure.
- , sponsored by Delegate Danica Roem, prohibits school boards from suing families to collect debts on unpaid school meals.
- , sponsored by Delegate Monty Mason, codifies Northam鈥檚 ConserveVirginia program, a data-driven Geographical Information Systems model to prioritize potential conservation areas across the Commonwealth.
- , sponsored by Delegate Sally Hudson, and , sponsored by Sen. Jennifer McClellan, remove the prohibition on abortion coverage in any qualified health insurance plan offered through the Virginia state-based exchange.
- , sponsored by Delegate Nancy Guy, and , sponsored by Sen. David Marsden, allow localities to exceed requirements in tree replacement and conservation efforts, including in development projects.
- , sponsored by Sen. Lionell Spruill, Sr., shifts all municipal elections from May to November, starting in 2022.
- , sponsored by Delegate Sam Rasoul, and , sponsored by Sen. Jennifer McClellan, direct the Virginia Department of Education to establish guidelines that permit middle and high school students to attend a civic or political event and receive an excused absence.
- , sponsored by Leader Charniele Herring, and , sponsored by Sen. L. Louise Lucas, build on the work started by the Virginia State Crime Commission to collect and study pretrial data across Virginia, including bail, conviction, and sentencing information.
- , sponsored by Delegate Kaye Kory, and , Sen. Jennifer Boysko, prohibit the testing of cosmetics on animals and the selling of cosmetics that have been tested on animals beginning in 2022.
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