Equality Fairfax

2007 General Assembly Legislative Weekly Update
Session Winds Down With Limited Debate on GLBT Issues

Today, Saturday, February 24 is the day that the 2007 General Assembly is scheduled to wrap up and adjourn — although most sessions have consistently run over the past several years as officials grapple with challenging issues such as transportation and the budget.

However, the legislation that Equality Virginia tracked during the session have all completed their journeys.  Ultimately, the tone this year was one where Delegates and Senators tried to rush and/or avoid debate on many of the measures we were supporting.  From denying a fair hearing to non-discrimination legislation sponsored by Delegates Katherine Waddell (I-Richmond, HB 2242) and Ken Plum (D-Reston, HB ), to making a motion to send a common-sense bill (Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple’s health insurance bill, SB 1242) to a subcommittee where Delegates knew it wouldn’t receive proper debate.  

Perhaps some elected officials were nervous about voting against these fair measures that would help treat all Virginians equally?  Perhaps it was because, once again, we generated close to 100,000 emails to Delegates and Senators over the past six weeks and they feared they might actually pass.  Maybe it was the 200 people who attended Lobby Day, or the one million voters who voted for fairness and against the so-called “marriage amendment” last year that was affecting the members.

What is clear is that not only do we need to continue to build our grassroots efficacy as a movement — work that is, indeed, slowly building our political clout, but we also need to start the hard work of re-shaping the legislature.  All 140 seats in the General Assembly are up for election this November, and Equality Virginia PAC will be getting involved in several targeted races statewide.  You will hear more about these exciting campaigns in the coming weeks and months.

The GLBT community did earn two key victories this session.  First, we once again defeated anti-GSA legislation for the third year in a row, and the second is the success of Del. David Englin’s bill (HB 2730) to allow hospital visitation rights. That bill passed unanimously through both houses of the legislature!  

See below for a final update on ALL legislation tracked this year by Equality Virginia.  Send a Thank You to those Delegates and Senators who voted for fairness and equality on key measures by clicking here .

Below are measures that Equality Virginia Opposed (click on the bill number to view the full text of the bill):

HB 1727  Local school board; student organizations.   Del. Matthew Lohr . This bill would have required that local school boards implement either an opt-out or opt-in policy before students could participate in extra-curricular activities. Designed to suppress participation in Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), this bill could have prevented at-youth risk from being able to participate in a critical support network, and would have provided an unnecessary and costly bureaucratic burden on school boards and educators.

Final Update: This bill was troubled from the start. Going through several re-writes, it was defeated in committee on lobby day, then resurrected and passed.  It passed the House of Delegates before being finally defeated in the Senate Committee on Education and Health by a vote of 9-6.  Please take a moment to thank those Senators who voted to kill this anti-GSA legislation for the third year in a row!

Equality Virginia Supported These Following Measures:

SB 820/SB 1310 and HB 2550 Nondiscrimination in public employment.  Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, Sens. Louise Lucas and Mamie Locke andDel. Adam Ebbin. Prohibits employment discrimination for state workers on the basis of sexual orientation.

Final Update:  Unfortunately, these bills were defeated in their respected committees this year with little debate allowed.  The final Senate version, SB 820 failed to report (or pass) by a vote of 8-7.  The House version was stifled in the House Subcommittee were it was assigned by a 3-2 vote.  No testimony before the full committee was allowed. 

SB 1242 Benefits coverage; employees and retired employees of localities. Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple.  Provides that any locality that self-funds a health insurance program for its officers and employees may extend coverage under such program by any other class of persons as may be mutually agreed upon by the locality and the policyholder.

Final Update:  For the second year in a row, this bill passed easily in the Senate only to fail in the House. It passed the Senate 36-4, and the House Committee on Counties Cities and Towns by an 11-10 vote.  Unfortunately, when it arrived on the House Floor, Del. Clarke Hogan (R-South Boston) made a motion to re-refer the legislation to the House Appropriations Committee, where it was sent to a subcommittee to die without proper debate.

HB 2252 Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation. Del. Katherine Waddell.  States that the City of Richmond may enact an ordinance on the basis of sexual orientation.

Final Update:  This bill was ”tabled” in the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns by a 13-8 vote.  Although it had passed subcommittee, absolutely no debate was allowed in the full committee.  Del. Waddell was not even allowed to speak to her own bill!

HB 2598 Urban county executive form of government; commission on human rights. Del. Kenneth Plum  Adds “sexual orientation” as prohibited discrimination in a county with the urban county executive form of government (Fairfax County).

Final Update:  Along with HB 2252, this bill passed its subcommittee vote, but no debate was permitted before the full committee.  Del. Plum was able to speak only on a procedural matter that even brought into question whether the committee could take it up at all.   

HB 2730 Hospital regulations; authorized visitor designation for hospital visitation.  Del. David Englin. Requires hospitals to develop regulations allowing patients to designate any individual for visitation purposes and to change the designation at any time.

Final Update:  This bill passed the House of Delegates 97-0 and the Senate 40-0!!  It will now be sent to the Governor’s desk. 

HJ 678 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); marriage. Del. Adam Ebbin.  Proposes to amend the so-called “marriage amendment”, by referendum at the November 2008 election.  This proposed amendment would add a “savings clause” protecting rights, benefits, obligations or status for unmarried persons not already abridged.

Final Update: This bill was defeated, or ”passed by indefinitely”, in the House Privileges and Elections Committee .

HJ 721 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); marriage. Del. David Englin.  This measure would repeal the so-called “marriage amendment” by referendum at the November 2008 election. 

Final Update: This measure was also ”passed by indefinitely” in the House Priviliges and Elections Committee on Friday, January 19. 

2007 General Assembly Legislative Weekly Update 

Equality Virginia continues to track legislation affecting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Virginians in the General Assembly.

Most importantly, this past week saw the defeat of anti-GSA legislation, the third year in a row such legislation had been introduced, and the third year it had been defeated. 

Check below for important updates on bills we are still tracking.  We’ve already sent over 75,000 emails this session! Keep up the good work! To send free emails on the measures below, go to Equality Virginia’s Advocacy Center today! You can also call the Constituent Hotline at 1-800-889-0229. 

Below are measures that Equality Virginia Opposes (click on the bill number to view the full text of the bill):

HB 1727  Local school board; student organizations.   Del. Matthew Lohr . This bill would require that local school boards obtain express written permission from a parent or legal guardian before any student becomes a member of or attends the meeting of a non-curriculum-related student organization. Designed to suppress participation in Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), this bill could prevent at-youth risk from being able to participate in a critical support network, and would provide an unnecessary and costly bureaucratic burden on school boards and educators.

 UPDATE:  This bill was defeated in the Senate Education and Health Committee by a 9-6 vote on Thursday, February 15.  Thank those Senators who voted against this misinformed measure.

Equality Virginia Supports These Following Measures:

SB 1242 Health insurance program; provision for employees by locality. Senator Mary Margaret Whipple.

This bill would allow any locality that is self-insured to extend coverage under their health care program to any class of persons that may be mutually agreed upon by the locality and the policy holder.

This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 36-4.  It passed the House Committee of Counties, Cities and Towns by a vote of 11-10 on Friday, February 9.  Unfortunately, through a procedural motion made by Del. Clarke Hogan (R-South Boston), this measure was re-referred to the House Appropriations Committee, where a subcommittee voted to kill it by a vote of 4-1. 

HB 2730 Hospital regulations; provision allowing patients to receive visits from whom they desire.  Delegate David Englin  This bill would allow any patient admitted to a hospital in Virginia to state who will be allowed to visit them.

This bill passed the House 97-0, and the Senate Education and Health Committee by a vote of 15-0.  It should be before the full Senate next week for a vote.

2007 General Assembly Legislative Weekly Update 

Equality Virginia continues to track legislation affecting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Virginians in the General Assembly.

Check below for important updates on bills we are still tracking, and then take action! We’ve already sent over 50,000 emails this session! Keep up the good work! To send free emails on the measures below, go to Equality Virginia’s Advocacy Center today! You can also call the Constituent hotline at 1-800-889-0229. 

Below are measures that Equality Virginia Opposes (click on the bill number to view the full text of the bill):

HB 1727  Local school board; student organizations.   Del. Matthew Lohr . This bill would require that local school boards obtain express written permission from a parent or legal guardian before any student becomes a member of or attends the meeting of a non-curriculum-related student organization. Designed to suppress participation in Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), this bill could prevent at-youth risk from being able to participate in a critical support network, and would provide an unnecessary and costly bureaucratic burden on school boards and educators.

URGENT UPDATE
This bill passed the full House of Delegates on Monday, January 29 by a 81-16 vote, and a Senate subcommittee passed yet another version by a vote of 3-2 on Friday, February 9. This bill should be before the Senate Education and Health Committee on Thursday, February 15.
1) Please take a moment to write the members of the Senate Education and Health Committee today and urge them to oppose this measure.
2) Also please take a moment to thank those Delegates who opposed this bill.

EqualityVirginia Supports These Following Measures:

SB 1242 Health insurance program; provision for employees by locality. Senator Mary Margaret Whipple.

This bill would allow any locality that is self-insured to extend coverage under their health care program to any class of persons that may be mutually agreed upon by the locality and the policy holder.

This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 36-4.  It passed the House Committee of Counties, Cities and Towns by a vote of 11-10 on Friday, February 9.  Please write to your Delegate today and urge them to support thi bill when it is debated on the House early next week.  Click here  to send a free email.

HB 2730 Hospital regulations; provision allowing patients to receive visits from whom they desire.  Delegate David Englin  This bill would allow any patient admistted to a hospital in Virginia to state who will be allowed to visit them. This bill passed the House 97-0.

2007 General Assembly Legislative Update 

The last few days before “crossover”, the traditional mid-point of the session, is often the busiest week of the year. 

With committees required to act on all remaining legislation, meetings run long into the evening on most days as Senators and Delegates work through their remaining dockets. 

It was no different for measures affecting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.  All of our remaining legislation earned committee or floor action this week.  In fact, in an effort to prevent any debate at all on two local non-discrimination bills, the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns rushed a vote on these important measures without allowing anyone to speak to the bills… including the patrons!  Read EV’s press release on this vote.

Check below for other important updates on bills we are still tracking, and then take action! We’ve already sent tens of thousands of emails this session! Keep up the good work! To send free emails on the measures below, go to Equality Virginia’s Advocacy Center today! You can also call the Constituent hotline at 1-800-889-0229. 

Below are measures that Equality Virginia Opposes (click on the bill number to view the full text of the bill):

HB 1727  Local school board; student organizations.   Del. Matthew Lohr . This bill would require that local school boards obtain express written permission from a parent or legal guardian before any student becomes a member of or attends the meeting of a non-curriculum-related student organization. Designed to suppress participation in Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), this bill could prevent at-youth risk from being able to participate in a critical support network, and would provide an unnecessary and costly bureaucratic burden on school boards and educators.

URGENT UPDATE
This bill passed the full House of Delegates on Monday, January 29 by a 81-16 vote.  It now goes to the Senate.
1) Please take a moment to write the members of the Senate Education and Health Committee today and urge them to oppose this measure.
2) Also please take a moment to thank those Delegates who opposed this bill.

EqualityVirginia Supports These Following Measures:

SB 820 andHB 2550 Nondiscrimination in public employment.  Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, Sens. Louise Lucas and Mamie Locke and Del.Adam Ebbin. Prohibits employment discrimination for state workers on the basis of sexual orientation.

This bill failed in the Senate General Laws Committee by a vote of 8-7.  The House Bill, SB 2550, also failed in subcommittee by a vote of 3-2.

SB 1242 Health insurance program; provision for employees by locality. Senator Mary Margaret Whipple.

This bill would allow any locality that is self-insured to extend coverage under their health care program to any class of persons that may be mutually agreed upon by the locality and the policy holder.

This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 36-4.  It now goes onto the Senate.

HB 2252 Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation. Del. Katherine Waddell.  States that the City of Richmond may enact an ordinance on the basis of sexual orientation.

Although this bill passed out of a subcommittee 3-2, it failed 13-8 in the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns through a procedural motion which didn’t allow any debate. Click here to read EV’s press release and send a free email to those Delegates who voted against tabling the measure.   

HB 2598 Urban county executive form of government; commission on human rights. Del. Kenneth Plum  Adds “sexual orientation” as prohibited discrimination in a county with the urban county executive form of government (Fairfax County).

While this bill was included as a ‘block’ in subcommittee and also passed 3-2, it failed 13-9 in the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns along with HB 2252.  Click here to read EV’s press release and send a  free email to those Delegates who voted against tabling the measure. 

2007 General Assembly Legislative Update

Although we expected movement on most of the remaining legislation that Equality Virginia is tracking this session, we saw votes only on two measures this week — the anti-GSA bill and a bill to allow local governments to offer the health care plans they wish to to their employees. 

Check below for important updates, and then take action! To send free emails on the measures below, go to Equality Virginia’s Advocacy Center today! You can also call the Constituent otline at 1-800-889-0229. 

Below are measures that Equality Virginia Opposes (click on the bill number to view the full text of the bill):

HB 1727  Local school board; student organizations.   Del. Matthew Lohr . This bill would require that local school boards obtain express written permission from a parent or legal guardian before any student becomes a member of or attends the meeting of a non-curriculum-related student organization. Designed to suppress participation in Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), this bill could prevent at-youth risk from being able to participate in a critical support network, and would provide an unnecessary and costly bureaucratic burden on school boards and educators.

URGENT UPDATE

Although this bill was DEFEATED in the House Education Committee on Wednesday, January 17, Del. Phil Hamilton made a motion on Monday, January 22 to have the bill “reconsidered”.  It was then amended to be a mandatory “opt-out” measure, which Equality Virginia still opposes.  The bill is expected to be voted on in the full House on Monday, January 29.  

Please take a moment to  write your Delegate today and urge them to continue to oppose this measure!  

HB 3047  School boards; notification of parent when student participates in school-sponsored clubs. Del. Mark Cole.  This bill, similar to HB 1727, would mandate all students receive permission slips for every school group they may wish to join. 

This measure was rolled into HB 1727 at last Monday’s House Education Committee Meeting.

EqualityVirginia Supports These Following Measures:

SB 820/SB 1310 andHB 2550 Nondiscrimination in public employment.  Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, Sens. Louise Lucas and Mamie Locke and Del.Adam Ebbin. Prohibits employment discrimination for state workers on the basis of sexual orientation.

URGENT ACTION: The vote in the Senate General Laws Committee was postponed to Wednesday, January 31.  Please take a moment to send a  free email to the members of this committee! 

SB 1242 Health insurance program; provision for employees by locality. Senator Mary Margaret Whipple.

This bill would allow any locality that is self-insured to extend coverage under their health care program to any class of persons that may be mutually agreed upon by the locality and the policy holder.

This bill should be voted on in the Senate on Monday, January 29. Write your Senator today and urge them to support this legislation.

HB 2252 Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation. Del. Katherine Waddell.  States that the City of Richmond may enact an ordinance on the basis of sexual orientation.

HB 2598 Urban county executive form of government; commission on human rights. Del. Kenneth Plum  Adds “sexual orientation” as prohibited discrimination in a county with the urban county executive form of government (Fairfax County).

HB 2730 Hospital regulations; authorized visitor designation for hospital visitation. Del. David Englin. Requires hospitals to develop regulations allowing patients to designate any individual as next of kin for visitation purposes and to change the designation at any time.

This bill should be heard before a House Health, Welfare and Institutions subcommittee next week.  Write members of this committee today!

HJ 678 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); marriage. Del. Adam Ebbin.  Proposes to amend the so-called “marriage amendment”, by referendum at the November 2008 election.  This proposed amendment would add a “savings clause” protecting rights, benefits, obligations or status for unmarried persons not already abridged.

This bill was “passed by indefinitely” in the House Privileges and Elections Committee on Friday, January 19.

HJ 721 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); marriage. Del. David Englin.  This measure would repeal the so-called “marriage amendment” by referendum at the November 2008 election. 

This measure was also ”passed by indefinitely” in the House Priviliges and Elections Committee on Friday, January 19. 

Take Action!
Four Bills Scheduled for Votes This Week!

Take a moment to contact legislators on four important measures facing critical votes this week!  Click here  to send free emails, or call the Constituent Hotline at 800-889-0229. 

Ending Employment Discrimination for State Employees
On Wednesday, January 24 the Senate General Laws Committee will be considering SB 820, patroned by Senators Jeannemarie Devolites Davis (R-Vienna), L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) and Mamie Locke (D-Hampton). 

Click here to read more about this legislation, and send a free email to committee members today!

Stop Attacks Against Virginia Students
Although fairness advocates were able to stop HB 1727 (patroned by Del. Matt Lohr, R-Harrisonburg) in the House Education Committee last week, supporters of suppressing GSAs were successful in having the bill “reconsidered” by the committee where it was passed on Monday, January 22. 

Although amended to remove the requirement of a pro-active persmission slip for each student attending each club, the changes requiring a mandatory “opt-out” policy would still provide an undue hardship for many school districts and students, and infringes upon a school board’s constitutionally protected local autonomy to make the decisions that best suit their community.

This measure will be debated on the floor of the House of Delegates this week!  Write your Delegate today and urge him or her to reject this misguided and heavy-handed legislation.

Read more about this measure.

Allow Hospital Visitation Rights
During the campaign against the so-called “marriage amendment” in 2006, many legislators who supported the amendment promised that the change would not affect the right of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender domestic partners to see their loved ones in the hospital, despite legal warnings to the contrary.

Del. Dave Englin (D-Alexandria) introduced HB 2730 to allow all patients the right to name who they want to be treated as next of kin, providing important protections to GLBT families and any other unmarried couple.  It would also clarify the “intent” of the amendment to not restrict these rights.

This bill will be before the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee on Tuesday morning, January 23.  Write the members of this committee today and urge them to support this measure!  

Local Health Insurance Bill
Senator Mary Margaret Whipple (D-Arlington) has introduced SB 1242 which will allow local governments the right to offer expanded health care benefits to additional household members of employees if they choose to do so.  A similar measure passed the Senate in 2006, but failed in the House of Delegates.

This bill is before the Senate Committee on Local Government on Wednesday, January 23.  Write members of this committee today!  

Please feel free to forward this alert to your friends, family and colleagues.  Thank you for taking action for equality! 

Read more about this bill.

2007 General Assembly Legislative Update

Both during and after a very successful Lobby Day, this past week saw action on several key pieces of legislation that Equality Virginia is monitoring and lobbying for.  Updates are highlighted for you below.  Please take action on the urgent items today! 

To send free emails on the measures below, go to Equality Virginia’s Advocacy Center today! You can also call the Constituent otline at 1-800-889-0229. 

Below are measures that Equality Virginia Opposes (click on the bill number to view the full text of the bill):

HB 1727  Local school board; student organizations.   Del. Matthew Lohr . This bill would require that local school boards obtain express written permission from a parent or legal guardian before any student becomes a member of or attends the meeting of a non-curriculum-related student organization. Designed to suppress participation in Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), this bill could prevent at-youth risk from being able to participate in a critical support network, and would provide an unnecessary and costly bureaucratic burden on school boards and educators.

This bill was DEFEATED in the House Education Committee on Wednesday, January 17!  Thanks to everyone who wrote to members of this committee, and attended the hearing!  If you have not yet done so, please take a moment to  thank those members who voted against this measure.

HB 3047  School boards; notification of parent when student participates in school-sponsored clubs. Del. Mark Cole.  This bill, similar to HB 1727, would mandate all students receive permission slips for every school group they may wish to join. 

URGENT ACTION REQUESTED! Please c ontact members of the House Education Committee again TODAY and urge them to oppose this measure. Click here to send a free email. 

EqualityVirginia Supports These Following Measures:

SB 820/SB 1310 andHB 2550 Nondiscrimination in public employment.  Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, Sens. Louise Lucas and Mamie Locke and Del.Adam Ebbin. Prohibits employment discrimination for state workers on the basis of sexual orientation.

URGENT ACTION: The Senate versions of this measure are expected to come before the Senate General Laws Committee on Wedensday, January 24th.  Please take a moment to send a  free email to the members of this committee! 

HB 2252 Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation. Del. Katherine Waddell.  States that the City of Richmond may enact an ordinance on the basis of sexual orientation.

HB 2598 Urban county executive form of government; commission on human rights. Del. Kenneth Plum  Adds “sexual orientation” as prohibited discrimination in a county with the urban county executive form of government (Fairfax County).

HB 2730 Hospital regulations; authorized visitor designation for hospital visitation. Del. David Englin. Requires hospitals to develop regulations allowing patients to designate any individual as next of kin for visitation purposes and to change the designation at any time.

HJ 678 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); marriage. Del. Adam Ebbin.  Proposes to amend the so-called “marriage amendment”, by referendum at the November 2008 election.  This proposed amendment would add a “savings clause” protecting rights, benefits, obligations or status for unmarried persons not already abridged.

This bill was “passed by indefinitely” in the House Privileges and Elections Committee on Friday, January 19.

HJ 721 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); marriage. Del. David Englin.  This measure would repeal the so-called “marriage amendment” by referendum at the November 2008 election. 

This measure was also ”passed by indefinitely” in the House Priviliges and Elections Committee on Friday, January 19. 

ATTEMPT TO BAR GAY/STRAIGHT ALLIANCES - OPPOSE – DEFEATED!
HB 1727 (LOHR)/HB 3047 (COLE) 

• HB 1727/HB 3047 are unnecessary. School Boards in Virginia already have ample authority to involve parents in the choices students make about clubs. Those school boards that wish to institute permission-slip programs, despite the risks and difficulties they entail, have done so. In the circumstances, mandatory statewide imposition of new and expensive bureaucratic requirements on local school divisions is unnecessary and unwise.

• The Bill Improperly Targets Gay Straight Alliances. The hidden purpose behind HB 1727/HB 3047 is to attack Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs), which promote tolerance and address school bullying and harassment.

STATUS - HB 1727 DEFEATED in Committee. HB 3047 rolled into HB 1727. Bill re-drafted as either opt-out or opt-in, which is less onerous for schools and students. Passed in new form in House by vote 82-15. Now goes to Senate for action. DEFEATED in Senate Committee by vote 9-6. Bill is finished for the year.

SUPPORT ENDING EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION - SUPPORT – DEFEATED
SB 820 (DEVOLITES DAVIS)/ SB 1310 (LUCAS/LOCKE) AND HB 2550 (EBBIN)

• Governor Tim Kaine issued Executive Order 1 on his first day in office to protect state employees from workplace discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation or disability. It is now time to make this policy permanent and extend it to all in the state workforce.

• It is a fundamental American and Virginian value that people who do their jobs, pay their taxes and contribute to their communities should not be singled out for unfair workplace discrimination. 87% of Virginians agree that gay men and lesbians have a right to be protected from workplace discrimination, and 90% said gay and lesbian Virginians should have the right to work for the government.

STATUS - SB 820 was defeated in Committee by a vote of 8-7. HB2550 did not get out of its Committee. Both bills are finished for the session.

LOCAL HEALTH INSURANCE BILL - SUPPORT – DEFEATED
SB 1242 (WHIPPLE)

• Unlike many of their peers in the private sector, local government employees cannot extend health care coverage for others outside of a married spouse and dependent children, even if they choose to do so.

• It has become commonplace for employers to offer extended coverage to employees and those they wish to insure. Over half of the Fortune 500 companies choose to offer such benefits to their employees. In order to compete for the best employees, localities should have the right to offer the benefits they feel would be necessary.

STATUS - Passed Senate by a vote 36-4. Now goes to the House for action. Passed House Committee by vote 11-10. In a procedural move, sent back to another House Committee where it was killed in Subcommittee by a vote of 4-1. The bill is finished for the session.

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ADD SEXUAL ORIENTATION- SUPPORT – DEFEATED
HB 2252 (WADDELL)/ HB 2598 (PLUM)

• These two bills would allow Richmond City (2252) and Fairfax County (2598) the right to add “sexual orientation” to their local non-discrimination ordinances and policies.

STATUS – HB 2598 passed out of Sub-Committee by a vote of 3-2; defeated in Committe by a vote of 13-9; HB 2252 defeated in Committee by a vote of 13-8. Both are finished for the session.

HOSPITAL VISITATION RIGHTS - SUPPORT – PASSED!
HB 2730 (ENGLIN)

• This bill would help protect families and loved ones by requiring that hospitals develop regulations allowing patients to designate any person as next of kin for visitation purposes.

STATUS - Passed out of Sub-Committee unanimously. Passed out of Committee unanimously — 11-0. Passed House by a vote of 97-0-1. Passed Senate Committee by vote of 15-0. Passed by full Senate with unanimous vote of 40-0.

AMEND OR REPEAL SO-CALLED “MARRIAGE AMENDMENT” - SUPPORT – DEFEATED
HJ 678 (EBBIN)/HJ 721 (ENGLIN)

• HJ 678 would add a “savings clause” to allow for some protections for unmarried couples not otherwise abridged by the amendment, such as hospital visitation rights or contract rights.

• HJ 721 would outright repeal the Marshall/Newman amendment from the Virginia Constitution.STATUS - HJ 678 and HJ 721 were passed by indefinitely in Committee, which means they won’t progress any further this session, in effect finished this year.

Wednesday Was a Good Day for Equality

On Wednesday, January 17, over 200 Equality Virginia members and supporters attended the annual Lobby Day and Legislative Reception in Richmond.

The day started off with the good news that the Anti-GSA bill, HB 1727 (Del. Matt Lohr, R-Harrisonburg), was defeated in the House Education Committee by a tie vote of 10-10.  Please take a moment today to thank the members of the Committee who voted against this misinformed bill by clicking here.

(Unfortunately, there is one other similar bill, HB 3047 patroned by Del. Mark Cole [R-Fredericksburg] that is expected to be heard by the same committee in the next week or two. The thank you letter references this bill, so please keep in touch with committee members and help keep gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and allied youth from being prevented from being able to start or participate in GSAs)

After a brief training with Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis (R-Vienna) speaking to the volunteers, participants spent most of the rest of the day meeting with legislators and their aides from across the Commonwealth to encourage them to support legislation that will protect our rights and our families.

The day was capped off with an incredible Legislative Reception, with nearly three dozen Delegates and Senators stopping by and brief remarks from Del. Adam Ebbin (D-Arlington).  We also had a visit from the Governor, who mingled with the crowd getting to meet many of our volunteers.  It was a wonderful way to wind down after a good day.

A special thanks to everyone who was able to attend Lobby Day and/or the Legilsative Reception, who participated in E-Lobby Day, who wrote the Education Committee members, or forwarded any of the information on to their friends, family and colleagues.

We will continue to track and monitor all legislation affecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Virginians, so stay-tuned and keep involved!  Your help will continued to be needed during this session and beyond!  

Can’t Join Us in Richmond Today?  E-Lobby!

Today, nearly 250 supporters of fairness and equality will be coming to Richmond to participate in Lobby Day.  However, we know that not everyone could get the day off from work to join us, so please take just a moment today to make sure you add your voice to ours by participating in e-Lobby Day!

Click here  to send a free email. 

You will be communicating EV’s position on all the priority bills facing the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, the same as everyone who will be in Richmond.  These include:

ATTEMPT TO BAR GAY/STRAIGHT ALLIANCES - OPPOSE

HB 1727 (LOHR)/HB 3047 (COLE)

HB 1727 Is Unnecessary.  School Boards in Virginia already have ample authority to involve parents in the choices students make about clubs. Those school boards that wish to institute permission-slip programs, despite the risks and difficulties they entail, have done so.  In the circumstances, mandatory statewide imposition of new and expensive bureaucratic requirements on local school divisions is unnecessary and unwise.

The Bill Improperly Targets Gay Straight Alliances.  The hidden purpose behind HB 1727 is to attack Gay Straight Alliances (GSA s), which promote tolerance and address school bullying and harassment.

SUPPORT ENDING EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION - SUPPORT
SB 820 (DEVOLITES DAVIS)/ SB 1310 (LUCAS/LOCKE) AND HB 2550 (EBBIN)

Governor Tim Kaine issued Executive Order 1 on his first day in office to protect state employees from workplace discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation or disability. It is now time to make this policy permanent and extend it to all in the state workforce.

It is a fundamental American and Virginian value that people who do their jobs, pay their taxes and contribute to their communities should not be singled out for unfair workplace discrimination. 87% of Virginians agree that gay men and lesbians have a right to be protected from workplace discrimination, and 90% said gay and lesbian Virginians should have the right to work for the government.

LOCAL   HEALTH INSURANCE BILL - SUPPORT
SB 1242 (WHIPPLE)

Unlike many of their peers in the private sector, local government employees cannot extend health care coverage for others outside of a married spouse and dependent children, even if they choose to do so.

It has become commonplace for employers to offer extended coverage to employees and those they wish to insure.  Over half of the Fortune 500 companies choose to offer such benefits to their employees.  In order to compete for the best employees, localities should have the right to offer the benefits they feel would be necessary.  

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ADD SEXUAL ORIENTATION - SUPPORT
HB 2253 (WADDELL)/ HB 2598 (PLUM)

These two bills would allow Richmond City (2253) and Fairfax County (2598) the right to add “sexual orientation” to their local non-discrimination ordinances and policies.

HOSPITAL VISITATION RIGHTS - SUPPORT
HB 2730 (ENGLIN)

This bill would help protect families and loved ones by requiring that hospitals develop regulations allowing patients to designate any person as next of kin for visitation purposes.

AMEND OR REPEAL SO-CALLED “MARRIAGE AMENDMENT” - SUPPORT

HJ 678 (EBBIN)/HJ 721 (ENGLIN)

HJ 678 would add a “savings clause” to allow for some protections for unmarried couples not otherwise abridged by the amendment, such as hospital visitation rights or contract rights.

HJ 721 would outright repeal the Marshall/Newman amendment from the Virginia Constitution.