RICHMOND, Va. (DC News Now) — Scores of new laws will be going into effect July 1 after the 2024 Virginia General Assembly session wrapped up earlier this year.
Here’s a look at some of the measures Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed into law.
Ending child marriage
House Bill 994 ends child marriage by requiring the legal age to marry be at 18 years old.
Minors who are emancipated will not be allowed to enter into marriage anymore.
State agencies must have naloxone or other opioid antagonists
House Bill 342 will require state agencies to have naloxone or other opioid antagonists. State agency employees will be allowed to carry naloxone with them or other opioid antagonists and administer it.
The measure will also require the Department of Health to post informational resources about how to use naloxone or other opioid antagonists on its website.
First offense drug program participation
House Bill 452 and Senate Bill 362 amends the current law to allow anyone to participate in the first offender drug program, even if they had a previous offense that had to do with misdemeanor marijuana possession or had their misdemeanor marijuana conviction dismissed.
The current law does not allow those who have a previous marijuana conviction to take part in the program.
Restroom Access Act
House Bill 474 requires retail stores that have employee restrooms but none for the public, to allow customers with certain medical conditions to use the employee restrooms.
Eligible medical conditions include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, or any other condition where the customer would need instant access to a restroom.
A customer who needs to use the restroom but is denied access and “suffers loss” as a result, may sue the establishment for up to $100.
