Several new pieces of legislation went into effect on January 1 in the state of Virginia. The following is a brief overview of the new laws:
Car insurance policy minimums will increase. Through December 21, 2024, coverage amounts for car insurance are $30,000 for bodily injury or death per person, $60,000 in bodily injury or death per accident, and $20,000 in property damage coverage. On January 1, these amounts will increase to a minimum of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage.
The Virginia Department of Transportation will be required to establish and maintain a publicly accessible database and map of all utility work that has been approved by VDOT and will occur within a highway right-of-way in a residential neighborhood.
Hunters obtaining licenses to construct waterfowl blinds will be required to disclose the exact location of the blinds to the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). The DWR will then be required to publish the coordinates of each blind by November 1 of each year. Waterfowl hunting is not permitted on public waters within 150 yards of a residence without the consent of the landowner, or on the public waters within 500 yards of a legally licensed blind without the consent of the blind licensee.
The Virginia Line of Duty Act will increase the death benefit payout for families of certain active or retired firefighters and law enforcement officers. The act applies to deaths caused by occupational cancer, respiratory disease, or hypertension or heart disease. As of January 1, the payment will increase from $25,000 to $75,000.
Primary election changes state that if a candidate for a primary election is unopposed on the ballot because their opponent dropped out within a certain time frame, the sole remaining candidate will be declared the party’s nominee, and the election will be canceled as long as certain stipulations are met.
Health insurance companies will be required to provide coverage for exams and tests related to colorectal cancer screenings. The bill requires coverage to include coverage of a follow-up colonoscopy after a positive noninvasive stool-based screening test or direct visualization screening test. The bill prohibits such coverage from being subject to any deductible, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing requirements for services received from participating providers.
Minimum wage will increase from $12 per hour to $12.41 per hour. This rate will remain in effect at least until January 1, 2026. Earlier this year, Governor Glenn Younkin shot down a bill that would have raised the rate to $13.50 per hour by 2025 and $15 per hour by 2026.