Equality Fairfax

At the start of the 2009 General Assembly Session, Equality Virginia’s legislative agenda included ten bills covering nine different topics — all of which would have a positive impact on gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender people in Virginia if enacted.  Two issues, nondiscrimination in public employment and equity in group life insurance, were targeted as key priorities.

This past Tuesday marked “Crossover” day, which is the day when the houses of introduction must complete work on their bills. As of that time, one of the two bills to provide equity in group life insurance had passed the Senate and is pending in the House.  In addition, we are continuing to watch a bill to expand the state’s bullying law, which has been significantly modified since its introduction.  All of the other bills on the legislative agenda failed to pass in their respective houses of introduction and they are “dead” for this session of the legislature.  Additional detail regarding bills and the consideration they received is provided below.

In addition to the bills supported by Equality Virginia, we were able to force a vote on the floor of the House on the issue of discrimination by asking Delegate Adam Ebbin to offer an amendment to the budget that would have prohibited the discriminatory discharge or lay off of public employees based on the employee’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, or status as a veteran.  The budget amendment was narrower than the bill Delegate Ebbin offered in order to avoid procedural challenges to its consideration.  Delegate Ebbin offered introductory remarks regarding the reason for the proposed budget amendment which are set out in an appendix to this memo.  There was no comment or debate on the amendment.  A recorded vote was taken and the results were 42 YES, 55 NO and 3 Not Voting.  You can click the link to get the complete list of who voted how.

 NONDISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT HB 2385 (EBBIN) SUPPORT

Would offer all public employees protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, as well as other factors, such as race, religion and veteran status.

This bill was our number one priority, and a major goal was to get a fair hearing for the bill in the House this year.  The bill was heard thoroughly in the Professions/Occupation/Administrative Process subcommittee of House General Laws.  Delegate Ebbin was afforded an opportunity to present the bill and Equality Virginia testified in favor of it, as did the Director of the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management and Robley Jones from the Virginia Education Association.  In addition, the AARP and the Virginia Governmental Employees Association also were cited as in support of the legislation.   Mr. Jack Knapp, the lobbyist for the Virginia Federation of Independent Baptists, was the only person to speak against the legislation.

After Delegate Gilbert had finished his line of questioning, which included questions posed to the representatives of the VEA and the State Department of Human Resource Management about whether they supported the gender identity provisions of the bill (which they affirmed they did), Delegate Jackson Miller moved to strip the gender identity language from the bill.  The motion passed on a voice vote supported by Delegates Miller, Gilbert, E.T. Scott, Carrico and Cosgrove and opposed passionately and eloquently by Delegate Eisenberg.

Delegate Jackson Miller then moved to report the bill as amended.  Delegate Scott made a substitute motion to table the bill.  Delegates Miller and Eisenberg voted against the motion to table.  Delegates Cosgrove, Carrico, E.T. Scott, and Gilbert voted for the motion to table.  Delegates Ward and Barlow were not present at the meeting. 

 GROUP LIFE INSURANCE HB 1726 (RUST) and SB 945 (HOWELL) SUPPORT

Would allow employers to extend group life insurance policies to any class of persons as agreed to by the employer and its insurer as is now the case with group health insurance.

The Senate passed the Senate version of this bill, SB 945, by a vote of 32-7:

YEAS–Barker, Blevins, Colgan, Deeds, Edwards, Hanger, Herring, Houck, Howell, Hurt, Locke, Lucas, Marsh, McDougle, McEachin, Miller, J.C., Miller, Y.B., Norment, Northam, Petersen, Puller, Quayle, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Stolle, Stosch, Stuart, Ticer, Vogel, Wampler, Whipple–32.

NAYS–Cuccinelli, Martin, Newman, Obenshain, Puckett, Smith, Wagner–7.

The House version of the bill, HB 1726, failed in a subcommittee of House Commerce and Labor on a tie vote on a motion to report:

YEAS– Saxman, Morgan, Melvin, Sickles–4.

NAYS– Ware, R.L., Nixon, Janis,  Joannou–4.

ABSTENTIONS–0.

NOT VOTING—Hargrove, Ward, Kilgore–3.

Delegates Hargrove and Ward, who we believed would vote favorably on the measure, were absent attending a Virginia War Memorial Commission meeting and a wake, respectively.

 HOUSING DISCRIMINATION HB 1625 (ENGLIN) SUPPORT

Would allow localities to expand groups protected from housing discrimination under state law to include GLBT persons.

This bill would have given localities flexibility to extend protection from housing discrimination to groups not covered by the state housing law.  The bill was tabled in the Housing Subcommittee of House General Laws on an unrecorded voice vote.

 HOUSING DISCRIMINATION HB 2668 (SCOTT) SUPPORT

Would add sexual orientation to the protected classes under the Virginia Fair Housing Law.

This bill would have added “sexual orientation” to the Virginia Fair Housing Law covering all rental and sales transactions.  The bill was tabled without significant discussion in a subcommittee of House General Laws.  The vote was recorded: Delegates Oder, Carrico, Cosgrove, and Fralin voted to table; Delegates Dance and Bulova voted against tabling; Delegates Hull and Jackson Miller were not present.

 FAIRFAX COUNTY NONDISCRIMINATION BILL HB 1933 (PLUM) SUPPORT

Would authorize Fairfax County to add “sexual orientation” to its local nondiscrimination ordinances and policies.

This bill would have allowed Fairfax County, in an exercise of home rule, to amend its local nondiscrimination ordinances to include “sexual orientation.”  Heather Lawson, Vice Chair of the Fairfax Human Rights Commission came to Richmond to testify in favor of the bill. 

The bill died in a subcommittee of the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns on an unrecorded voice vote.  Members of the subcommittee voting to table the bill included the chair of the subcommittee, Delegate Crockett-Stark and Delegates Orrock, Iaquinto, Poindexter and Massie.  Delegates Hall, Caputo, Pollard and McQuinn voted against the motion to table.  Delegate Marshall was not present.

 FAIRNESS IN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC BENEFITS HB 2375 (ENGLIN) SUPPORT

Would establish that the state can’t consider the income of a person in deciding on the eligibility of a family or household for health and social services if the relationship of that person to the family isn’t recognized by the Commonwealth.

This common sense measure, which was supported by the Family Foundation (“it’s only fair given the passage of the amendment”), sailed through the Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions by a vote of 21-0, and was recommended for passage by the health and social services subcommittee of House Appropriations.  Nonetheless, it was not acted upon by the full Appropriations Committee.

 STANDARDS FOR MODEL ANTI-BULLYING POLICY HB 1624 (ENGLIN) SUPPORT

Would establish standards for the State Board of Education to follow in amending its current model student conduct policies addressing bullying. As introduced, the bill would require the model policy to specifically address bullying directed at a student because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.

This bill was amended substantially by the patron and the House Education Committee after introduction.  The only new language left in the bill adds “the use of electronic means for purposes of bullying, harassment, and intimidation” to the topics that must be addressed in the model student conduct policy.  As amended, the bill passed the House by a vote of 94-5.

 REPEAL THE MARSHALL-NEWMAN AMENDMENT HJR 657 (ENGLIN) SUPPORT

Would be the first step toward repealing the Marshall-Newman amendment that added to the bill of rights of the Virginia Constitution an amendment denying all relationship recognition to GLBT couples.

This resolution died in the constitutional amendment subcommittee of the House Privileges and Elections Committee on which the following legislators sit:  Janis (Chairman), Putney, Hargrove, Cosgrove, Frederick, Phillips, Alexander, Morrissey

On an unrecorded vote, Janis, Putney, Hargrove, Cosgrove, Frederick, Phillips and Alexander all supported a motion to pass the resolution by indefinitely.  Only Morrissey voted no. 

Arguments against the resolution centered on the fact that Virginians had approved the amendment by a wide margin only two years ago and that there was no compelling evidence to suggest that a majority of Virginians had changed their mind.

Senator Devolites-Davis and Candidate Petersen

This is part three of the Equality Fairfax State Senate Forum held on September 27, 2007 at the Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia. This part is for the 34th senate district race between incumbent Jeannemarie Devolites-Davis and challenger Chap Petersen.

Mr. Petersen tended to wander away from his microphone as he spoke and so his audio quality at times is less than ideal. The audio was cleaned up as best as possible but a few sections still are fairly low in volume.

The direct-to-CD recording system used at the event reached the end of a CD during Senator Devolites-Davis’ closing comments so the last minute or so of her comments were not recorded.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:46 — 25.1MB)

Well, last night was a very successful event for Equality Fairfax when we held our first ever state legislative candidate forum with our “Putting the ‘Fair’ in Fairfax” Senate Discussion Forum.

We were a bit nervous at first because we weren’t sure where some of our candidates were, but apparently according to a reporter from the Connection, that’s par for the course at these forums. Candidates apparently tend to come and go during these forums, which is understandable given the hectic nature of campaign seasons and the importance of voter contact events. As organizers, however, it is nice when the attendees give you a warning that they’ll be late!

We are so grateful to all four candidates who appeared, Janet Oleszek, Jeannemarie Devolites-Davis, Chap Petersen, and George Barker, for appearing at our group forum and discussing our issues.

Without getting into too much detail just yet, let me say, if you love political drama, you’re gonna love hearing about the exchange in the 34th District race forum. There’s already been a post about it over at Raising Kaine.

Stay tuned for some written recaps of the evening. Also, if we have suitable audio quality on our recording, we plan to put three podcasts on our web site for our members and friends who were not able to attend to listen, one for each race.

You may begin to see other reporting from the event in some area papers as reporters from the Washington Post, The Falls Church News-Press, the Connection newspapers, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch, at least, were in attendance.

Thanks again to MCC NOVA for allowing us to host the event in their sanctuary, and thank you to all the candidates who took the time to address our community. most importantly, thank you to the 50 or so members and friends of Equality Fairfax who showed up to hear what the candidates had to say to our community.

I wanted to jot down some quick facts on the records of the two candidates who will meet in person tomorrow night for the “Putting the ‘Fair’ in Fairfax” State Senate Candidate Discussion Forum. Both State Senator Jeannemarie Devolites-Davis and former state Delegate Chap Petersen are scheduled to attend the event. We thought it would be useful to present a few facts about the candidates’ histories prior to the event.

Candidates Janet Oleszek and George Barker in the 37th and 39th State Senate districts will also be in attendance, but their opponents in those races, Sen. Ken Cuccinelli and Sen. Jay O’Brien both will not be in attendance citing other commitments. Both campaigns not in attendance have been given an opportunity to submit statements that could be read at the forum.

In the 34th Distrct race between Sen. Devolites-Davis and former Del. Petersen, both candidates voted to pass the infamous “HB 751″ or “Affirmation of Marriage Act” in 2004, Devolites-Davis as a member of the State Senate, and Petersen as a member of the state House of Delegates. Petersen received a lot of criticism from within the GLBT community after his vigorous support of the measure in 2004 and during his subsequent unsuccessful run for the Lt. Governor nomination in 2005. Devolites-Davis received criticism for her support as well, within the GLBT community.

Devolites-Davis voted to support the so-called “marriage amendment” or the Marshall-Newman constitutional amendment in 2006. Petersen, although no longer a member of the legislature in 2006, was on record as supporting such an amendment during the 2005 session and during his run for Lieutenant Governor. However, prior to the 2006 election, Petersen announced (see his comments here) that he would be voting against putting the amendment into Virginia’s constitution in its sacred and long-standing Bill of Rights.

Both candidates have supported non-discrimination laws and policies. In fact, in the 2007 session, Senator Devolites-Davis was the chief patron of a public employment non-discrimination bill that would have codified Governor Kaine’s non-discrimination order in state public employment. The bill failed in committee by only one vote along party lines (7-8).

Also recently, Petersen’s membership in the Truro Parish congregation in Fairfax that voted to leave the US Episcopalian Church over the inclusion of gay & lesbian people and their relationships in congregational life, has been an issue discussed in the Virginia blogosphere.

Both candidates have a record of engaging on our issues and we are delighted to have them in attendance tomorrow evening. This is by no means an exhaustive synopsis of their records, but it’s a starting point.

Tomorrow’s forum will be an excellent opportunity for these candidates to discuss not only what they’ve done in the past on our issues, but what we can expect for them to do in the future if they are elected this November. We look forward to an engaging evening and hope the members and friends of Equality Fairfax will show up in force to engage these two candidates on important issues to our community!

What do candidates for the Virginia Senate and House races have to say about issues impacting the GLBT community? Come to the Putting the “Fair” in Fairfax Discussion Forum to find out. This is our chance to hear directly from the candidates about issues impacting our community. Candidates include:

• 34th Senate: Jeannemarie Devolites Davis and Chap Petersen (both attending)
• 37th Sentate: Ken Cuccinelli (unable to attend) and Janet Oleszek (attending)
• 39th Senate: Jay O’Brien (unable to attend) and George Barker (attending)

Equality Fairfax, Equality Virginia, Virginia Partisans and Log Cabin Republicans are sponsoring this non-partisan discussion forum to hear the views of candidates running for state-wide office for the VA General Assembly.

Candidates representing Fairfax, Centreville, Chantilly, Burke, Vienna, Oakton, McLean, Springfield, Clifton and Fairfax Station will be in attendance.

Bring all of your friends, family and other allies to these important community meetings. Turnout is important — elected officials in Virginia need to know that our issues DO matter.

Please take a couple hours out of your busy schedule to attend these worthwhile community events.

Senate Discussion Forum

Thursday, September 27

Social gathering time-6:15pm-6:45pm

Discussion Forum-6:45pm-8:45pm

MCC NOVA can be a little hard to find if you haven’t been there before. It is in the block on townhouses behind the Safeway. 

MCC NOVA
10383 Democracy Ln
Fairfax, VA 22030

HB 2490 — HB 751 Amendment Bill – Del. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) and Del. Dave Albo (R-Springfield) - defeated in committee (12-6)
Patrons:  J. Chapman Petersen (chief patron) – Fairfax, David B. Albo – Springfield 

Domestic relations; civil unions.  Provides that the prohibition against a civil union, partnership contract or other arrangement between persons of the same sex purporting to bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage shall not abridge the right of any person to enter into a lawful contract that pertains to the ownership or devising of joint property, the maintenance of personal health, or the protection of private assets.

Our position:  We oppose this measure on the grounds that it is a vague and incomplete attempt to clarify and “fix” the Affirmation of Marriage Act by removing only some contractual relationships from HB 751.  The law regarding “contractual arrangements” is not clarified by this language and this change might actually increase danger by excluding other contract areas such as medical directives and powers of attorneys.

How they voted:

YEAS–McDonnell, Griffith, Kilgore, McQuigg, Weatherholtz, Hurt, Athey, Janis, Bell, Marrs, McDougle, Brink –12.

NAYS–Albo, Johnson, Melvin, Armstrong, Barlow, Watts–6.

ABSTENTIONS–0.

NOT VOTING–Black, Reese, Moran, Ware, O..–4.

HB 2921 — Anti-Gay Adoption – Del. Richard Black (R-Sterling) and Del. Robert Marshall (R-Manassas) - passed House (71-24); DEFEATED in Senate committee

In it original form, would have prohibited “homosexuals” from adopting children in Virginia.

 Current version is modified to require investigators to determine and report “whether the petitioner is known to engage in current voluntary homosexual activity or is unmarried and cohabiting with another adult to whom he is not related by blood or marriage”

Our position:  This measure is an extreme attempt to deny hundreds of children from having permanent, loving and nurturing forever homes.  Studies have shown children raised by gay or lesbian parents do not suffer adverse affects in any developmental area.  While this bill is weakened from its original form, it would still encourage discriminatory and special disparate treatment against prospective

gay and lesbian parents.

How they voted:
YEAS– Watkins M. Abbitt, Jr., David B. Albo-Springfield, Ward L. Armstrong, Clifford L. Athey, Jr., Mamye E. BaCote, William K. Barlow, Robert B. Bell,Richard H. Black, L. Preston Bryant, Jr., Kathy J. Byron, Vincent F. Callahan, Jr.-McLean., Charles W. Carrico, Sr., Benjamin L. Cline, Mark L. Cole, J. Paul Councill, Jr., M. Kirkland Cox, , Allen W. Dudley, William H. Fralin, Jr., Jeffrey M. Frederick, Thomas D. Gear, H. Morgan Griffith, , Phillip A. Hamilton, Frank D. Hargrove, Sr., Clarke N. Hogan, Algie T. Howell, Jr., William J. Howell, Timothy D. Hugo-Fairfax, Robert Hurt, Riley E. Ingram, William R. Janis, Johnny S. Joannou, Joseph P. Johnson, Jr., Dwight Clinton Jones, S. Chris Jones, W. Benny Keister, Terry G. Kilgore, Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr., L. Scott Lingamfelter,Allen L. Louderback, Bradley P. Marrs, Daniel W. Marshall, III, Robert G. Marshall, Joe T. May, Robert F. McDonnell, Ryan T. McDougle, Michele B. McQuigg, Floyd H. Miles, Sr., Paula J. Miller, Samuel A. Nixon, Jr., David A. Nutter, John M. O’Bannon, III, G. Glenn Oder, Robert D. Orrock, Sr., Clarence E. Phillips, Albert C. Pollard, Jr., Harry R. Purkey, Lacey E. Putney, Melanie L. Rapp, Gary A. Reese-Oak Hill/Herndon, John S. Reid, , Christopher B. Saxman, Edward T. Scott, Beverly J. Sherwood, Lionell Spruill, Sr., Jackie T. Stump, Terrie L. Suit, Robert Tata, Leo C. Wardrup, Jr., Onzlee Ware, R. Lee Ware, Jr., Glenn M. Weatherholtz, John J. Welch, III, Thomas C. Wright, Jr. –71

NAYS–Kenneth C. Alexander, Kristen J. Amundson-Mt. Vernon, Mamye E. BaCote, Viola O. Baskerville, Robert H. Brink, James H. Dillard, II-Fairfax, Adam P. Ebbin-Fairfax, Albert C. Eisenberg, Franklin P. Hall, Robert D. Hull-Falls Church, Dwight Clinton Jones, Kenneth R. Melvin, Brian J. Moran-Alexandria,Harry J. Parrish, J. Chapman Petersen-Fairfax, Kenneth R. Plum-Reston, Thomas Davis Rust-Herndon, James M. Scot-Merrifield, Stephen C. Shannon-Vienna, James M. Shuler, Mark D. Sickles-alexandria, Mitchell Van Yahres, Jeion A. Ward, Vivian E. Watts-Annandale –24.

ABSTENTIONS–0.

NOT VOTING–John A. Cosgrove, R. Steven Landes, Harvey B. Morgan, Van Marian Van Landingham-Alexandria–4.

HJ 586 – Virginia Marriage Amendment  – 
Del. John R. Cosgrove (Chesapeake) – passed House (78-18)

Constitutional amendment (first reference). 

Provides that marriage “is the legal union of one man and one woman as husband and wife” and that “no other combination of persons may be licensed to marry.” The proposed amendment prohibits the creation, recognition, or enforcement of imitations of marriage.

Amended as follows:

That in this Commonwealth, a marriage shall consist exclusively of the union of one man and one woman as husband and wife. This Commonwealth shall not recognize or create another union or partnership to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, or status of marriage. 

Any right, benefit, obligation, or status pertaining to persons not married is otherwise not altered or abridged by this section.

Our position on marriage amendments:  These amendments are overbroad and will be considered by all fair-minded Virginians as an attack that goes too far.  Beyond “protecting marriage” they unnecessarily restrict loving, committed couples who most people believe should be allowed many of the benefits and obligations currently associated only with marriage. Marriage is already well out of our reach in Virginia; we hope a way is preserved to allow future legislators to respond positively to the steadily growing public sentiment in support of recognition for all couples.

How they voted:
YEAS–Watkins M. Abbitt, Jr., David B. Albo-Springfield, Kenneth C. Alexander, Ward L. Armstrong, Clifford L. Athey, Jr., William K. Barlow, Robert B. Bell, Richard H. Black, L. Preston Bryant, Jr., Kathy J. Byron, Vincent F. Callahan-McLean, Charles W. Carrico, Sr., Benjamin L. Cline, Mark L. Cole, John A. Cosgrove, J. Paul Councill, Jr., M. Kirkland Cox, Allen W. Dudley, William H. Fralin, Jr., Jeffrey M. Frederick, Thomas D. Gear, H. Morgan Griffith, Franklin P. Hall, Phillip A. Hamilton,Frank D. Hargrove, Sr., Clarke N. Hogan, William J. Howell, Timothy D. Hugo-Centreville, Robert Hurt, Riley E. Ingram, William R. Janis, Johnny S. Joannou, Joseph P. Johnson, Jr., Dwight Clinton Jones, S. Chris Jones, W. Benny Keister, Terry G. Kilgore, R. Steven Landes, Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr., L. Scott Lingamfelter, Allen L. Louderback, Bradley P. Marrs, Daniel W. Marshall, III, Robert G. Marshall, Joe T. May, Robert F. McDonnell, Ryan T. McDougle, Michele B. McQuigg, Paula J. Miller, Harvey B. Morgan, Samuel A. Nixon, Jr., David A. Nutter, John M. O’Bannon, III, G. Glenn Oder, Robert D. Orrock, Sr., Harry J. Parrish, J. Chapman Petersen-Fairfax, Clarence E. Phillips, Harry R. Purkey, Lacey E. Putney, Melanie L. Rapp, Gary A. Reese-Oak Hill, John S. Reid, Thomas Davis Rust-Herndont, Edward T. Scott, Stephen C. Shannon-Vienna, Beverly J. Sherwood, Lionell Spruill, Sr., Jackie T. Stump, Terrie L. Suit, Robert Tata, Leo C. Wardrup, Jr.,Onzlee Ware, R. Lee Ware, Jr., Vivian E. Watts-Annandale, Glenn M. Weatherholtz, John J. Welch, III, Thomas C. Wright, Jr. –78.

NAYS–Kristen J. Amundson-Mt. Vernon, Mamye E. BaCote, Viola O. Baskerville, Robert H. Brink, James H. Dillard-Fairfax, Adam P. Ebbin-Fairfax, Albert C. Eisenberg, Robert D. Hull-Falls Church, Kenneth R. Melvin, Floyd H. Miles, Sr., Brian J. Moran-Alexandria, Kenneth R. Plum-Reston, Albert C. Pollard, Jr., James M. Scott-Merrifield, James M. Shuler, Mark D. Sickles-Alexandria, Mitchell Van Yahres, Jeion A. Ward–18.

ABSTENTIONS–0.

NOT VOTING–Algie T. Howell, Jr., Christopher B. Saxman, Marian Van Landingham-Alexandria–3.

HB 2116 – Fairfax County Non-discrimination Bill – Del. Ken Plum – defeated (17-4) in committee

Urban county executive form of government; commission on human rights. 
House patrons:  Kenneth R. Plum (chief patron), Robert H. Brink, James H. Dillard, II, Adam P. Ebbin, Albert C. Eisenberg, Robert D. Hull, Brian J. Moran, J. Chapman Petersen, James M. Scott, Mark D. Sickles, Vivian E. Watts

Senate patrons:  Janet D. Howell, Linda T. Puller, Richard L. Saslaw, Patricia S. Ticer, Mary Margaret Whipple 

Adds “sexual orientation” as prohibited discrimination and authorizes action against such discrimination by a human rights commission in a county with the urban county executive form of government (Fairfax County

How they voted on a motion to PBI, or kill, this bill:

YEAS (17):

• Ingram
• Marshall, R.G.
• Orrock
• Dudley
• Bryant
• McQuigg
• Suit
• Oder
• Marshall
• Hurt
• Reese
• Marrs
• Cline
• Cole
• Stump
• Armstrong
• Ware, O

NAYS (4):

• Hall
• Hull
• Jones, D.C.
• Amundson

NOT VOTING (1):

• Spruill

Recommended action:  Thank Del. Plum and the co-patrons of this legislation.

SB 1338 Health insurance; coverage for certain persons. 
Senate patrons:  Janet D. Howell, Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, Richard L. Saslaw - passed Senate (26-14)
House patrons:  Robert H. Brink, Vincent F. Callahan, Jr., James H. Dillard, II - passed House (49-48)

Allows coverage under a group accident and sickness insurance policy to be extended to insure any class of persons as may mutually be agreed upon by the insurer and the group policyholder. 

How they voted:
Senate:  
YEAS–Bell, Blevins, Chichester, Colgan, Deeds, Devolites Davis, Edwards, Hawkins, Houck, Howell, Lambert, Locke, Lucas, Marsh, Miller, Norment, Potts, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Reynolds, Saslaw, Stolle, Ticer, Watkins, Whipple–26.

NAYS–Bolling, Cuccinelli, Hanger, Martin, Mims, Newman, Obenshain, O’Brien, Rerras, Ruff, Stosch, Wagner, Wampler, Williams–14.

House:
YEAS–Albo, Alexander, Amundson, BaCote, Barlow, Baskerville, Bell, Brink, Callahan, Dillard, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Hall, Hamilton, Hargrove, Howell, A.T., Hull, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Keister, Louderback, Marrs, Melvin, Miles, Miller, Moran, Morgan, O’Bannon, Orrock, Parrish, Petersen, Plum, Pollard, Purkey, Rust, Saxman, Scott, J.M., Shannon, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Suit, Tata, Van Yahres, Ward, Wardrup, Ware, O., Watts–49.

NAYS–Abbitt, Armstrong, Athey, Black, Bryant, Byron, Carrico, Cline, Cole, Cosgrove, Cox, Dudley, Fralin, Frederick, Gear, Griffith, Hogan, Hugo, Hurt, Ingram, Janis, Jones, S.C., Kilgore, Landes, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., May, McDonnell, McDougle, McQuigg, Nixon, Nutter, Oder, Phillips, Putney, Rapp, Reese, Reid, Scott, E.T., Sherwood, Stump, Ware, R.L., Weatherholtz, Welch, Wright, Mr. Speaker–48.

NOT VOTING–Councill, Van Landingham–2.

Our position:  Virginia was the only state restricting businesses from extending health benefits to domestic partners and other family members. 

Recommended action:  Thank Sen. Howell, those who co-sponsored, and those who voted Yes!