The Bill Spill

Virginia HB1733

This bill requires the local department of social services to create a standardized template for the written report on petitions of relief of care and custody of a child. The document must include a background summary of the child and family, covering medical, mental, legal, and education history, information on relatives and close kin, and details of services provided to the child and family. The bill also requires that each case be reviewed by a workgroup to determine the factors courts should consider when granting a petition of relief of care and custody of the child.

Virginia SB 738

This past September, the Senate introduced a bill to limit cell phone use in public elementary and secondary schools. The bill seeks to restrict student cell phone possession during regular school hours to reduce distractions, including bullying and harassment, and promote a more focused learning environment for students. It also requires school boards to develop and enforce appropriate policies. The bill has successfully passed both the Senate and the House.