Discovery in criminal cases; copies of discovery for the accused. Provides that for any discovery materials or evidence that the accused is permitted to inspect and review, the accused may request the Commonwealth to copy or photograph such discovery materials or evidence, and the Commonwealth shall provide such copies or photographs to the accused or his counsel.

Allowing access to, purchase for, or provision of marijuana to minors; penalties. Clarifies that it is a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who cultivates marijuana plants for personal use to recklessly allow unauthorized access to such marijuana plants by a person younger than 21 years of age. The bill provides that any person who purchases marijuana or marijuana products for, or otherwise gives, provides, or assists in the provision of marijuana or marijuana products to, another person when he knows or has reason to know that such person is younger than 21 years of age, except by any federal, state, or local law-enforcement officer when possession of marijuana or marijuana products is necessary in the performance of his duties, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also removes marijuana from the types of drugs for which distribution to a person under the age of 18 is a felony punishable by a period not less than 10 nor more than 50 years, and a fine not more than $100,000 with the possibility of mandatory minimum sentences. Such provisions shall not become effective if the corresponding provisions of Chapters 550 and 551 of the Acts of Assembly of 2021, Special Session I, are reenacted by the 2022 Session of the General Assembly.

Abuse and neglect; financial exploitation; incapacitated adults; penalties. Changes the term "incapacitated adult" to "vulnerable adult" for the purposes of the crime of abuse and neglect of such adults and defines "vulnerable adult" as any person 18 years of age or older who is impaired by reason of mental illness, intellectual or developmental disability, physical illness or disability, or other causes, including age, to the extent the adult lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make, communicate, or carry out reasonable decisions concerning his well-being or has one or more limitations that substantially impair the adult's ability to independently provide for his daily needs or safeguard his person, property, or legal interests. The bill also changes the term "person with mental incapacity" to the same meaning of "vulnerable adult" for the purposes of the crime of financial exploitation. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia Criminal Justice Conference.

Fair Labor Standards Act waiver; employees with disabilities. Removes the provision of the Code stating that any person who is paid pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act is not considered an employee for the purposes of the Virginia Minimum Wage Act.

Unemployment compensation; continuation of benefits; repayment of overpayments. Makes permanent provisions of the Code currently set to expire on July 1, 2022, relating to unemployment compensation. The bill provides that when a claimant has had a determination of initial eligibility for unemployment benefits, as determined by the issuance of compensation or waiting-week credit, payments shall continue, subject to a presumption of continued eligibility, until a determination is made that provides the claimant notice and an opportunity to be heard. Unemployment compensation; continuation of benefits; repayment of overpayments. Makes permanent provisions of the Code currently set to expire on July 1, 2022, relating to unemployment compensation. The bill provides that when a claimant has had a determination of initial eligibility for unemployment benefits, as determined by the issuance of compensation or waiting-week credit, payments shall continue, subject to a presumption of continued eligibility, until a determination is made that provides the claimant notice and an opportunity to be heard. The bill also makes permanent provisions of the Code that require the Virginia Employment Commission to waive the obligation to repay any overpayment if (i) the overpayment was made without fault on the part of the individual receiving benefits and (ii) requiring repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience. Conditions for when overpayments are considered "without fault on the part of the individual" are outlined in the bill. The bill further provides that the Commission shall notify each person with an unpaid overpayment of benefits that he may be entitled to a waiver of repayment and provide 30 days to request such a waiver. This applies to outstanding overpayments established for claim weeks commencing on or after March 15, 2020. The bill allows the Commission to suspend or forgo referring any overpayment established since March 15, 2020, to the collections process indefinitely. All costs that result from implementing provisions of this bill shall be incurred by the Unemployment Compensation Fund.

Contracts with government agencies for public works; agreements with labor organizations. Removes certain provisions of the Code that require bidders for public works contracts to enter into or adhere to pre-hire collective bargaining agreements with labor organizations on public works projects. The bill reverts the application of such provisions to state agencies specifically, rather than public bodies, which distinction was made in 2020. The bill also adds the option for injunctive relief to prevent a violation of its provisions, which was repealed in 2020. The provisions of the bill do not apply to public-private agreements that may interfere with the labor relations of employees covered by the federal National Labor Relations Act or Railway Labor Act.

Bail in subsequent proceeding arising out of initial arrest. Provides that any person who was previously admitted to bail shall be granted bail and have the terms of bond or recognizance fixed in the amount or manner consistent with the prior admission to bail, but if the court having jurisdiction of the subsequent proceeding believes bail is inappropriate, or the amount of bond or security inadequate or excessive, it may deny bail, or change the amount of such bond or security, require new and additional sureties, or set other terms of bail as are appropriate to the case. Under current law, any person who was previously admitted to bail is not required to be admitted to bail in any subsequent proceeding arising out of the initial arrest unless the court having jurisdiction of such subsequent proceeding deems the initial amount of bond or security taken inadequate. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Criminal Justice Conference.

Institutions of higher education; education preparation programs; coursework; audit. Requires each education preparation program offered by a public institution of higher education or private institution of higher education that provides training for any student seeking initial licensure by the Board of Education to (i) include a program of coursework and require all such students to demonstrate mastery in science-based reading research and evidence-based literacy instruction and require such program of coursework and the student mastery required to be demonstrated therein to be consistent with definitions and expectations established by the Board of Education and the Department of Education after consultation with a commission consisting of independent literacy experts and stakeholders with knowledge of science-based reading research and evidence-based literacy instruction that has reviewed the relevant regulations and (ii) for any such student seeking initial licensure by the Board of Education as a teacher with an endorsement in early childhood, elementary education, or special education or with an endorsement as a reading specialist, ensure that reading course work and field practice opportunities are a significant focus of the education preparation program. The bill requires the Department of Education to audit at least once every seven years each education preparation program, in alignment with each program's accreditation cycle, for compliance with such requirements. The provisions of the bill become effective beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. Institutions of higher education; education preparation programs; coursework; audit. Requires each education preparation program offered by a public institution of higher education or private institution of higher education that provides training for any student seeking initial licensure by the Board of Education to (i) include a program of coursework and require all such students to demonstrate mastery in science-based reading research and evidence-based literacy instruction and require such program of coursework and the student mastery required to be demonstrated therein to be consistent with definitions and expectations established by the Board of Education and the Department of Education after consultation with a commission consisting of independent literacy experts and stakeholders with knowledge of science-based reading research and evidence-based literacy instruction that has reviewed the relevant regulations and (ii) for any such student seeking initial licensure by the Board of Education as a teacher with an endorsement in early childhood, elementary education, or special education or with an endorsement as a reading specialist, ensure that reading course work and field practice opportunities are a significant focus of the education preparation program. The bill requires the Department of Education to audit at least once every seven years each education preparation program, in alignment with each program's accreditation cycle, for compliance with such requirements. The provisions of the bill become effective beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.

Worker training tax credit. Extends from 2022 to 2025 the sunset date for the worker training tax credit and expands credits with respect to courses at an Eligible Training Provider List-recognized institution to include courses at any Virginia public institution of higher education. Worker training tax credit. Extends from 2022 to 2025 the sunset date for the worker training tax credit and expands credits with respect to courses at an Eligible Training Provider List-recognized institution to include courses at any Virginia public institution of higher education.

Early childhood care and education; regional entities; Child Care Subsidy Program Overpayment Fund established. Requires the Board of Education to establish a system of regional entities that will be responsible for coordinating early childhood care and education services, guiding quality improvement of such services and coordinated access to such services for families, and implementing the uniform measurement and improvement system. The bill establishes the Child Care Subsidy Program Overpayment Fund, consisting of all overpayment moneys collected or recovered by the Department of Education or any state or local agency contracted to administer the Child Care Subsidy Program, net of any refunds due to the federal government, to be used solely for the purpose of covering the cost of providing training and supports to early childhood care and education entities.

Person under a disability; parties unknown. Includes in the definition of "person under a disability" persons made defendants by the general description of "parties unknown" in suits involving real property. This bill is a recommendation of the Boyd-Graves Conference.

Possession of controlled substances; residue. Provides that for the purposes of the crime of possession of controlled substances, "controlled substance" does not include mere residue of any substance that is not a usable quantity or a countable dosage unit. Possession of controlled substances; residue. Provides that for the purposes of the crime of possession of controlled substances, "controlled substance" does not include mere residue of any substance that is not a usable quantity or a countable dosage unit.

Guardianship and conservatorship; periodic review hearings. Requires a schedule for periodic review hearings in the order of appointment of a guardian or conservator to be set by a court, unless the court makes a determination that such hearings are unnecessary or impracticable. The bill allows any person to petition the court to hold a review hearing earlier than the scheduled date. The bill further provides that any periodic review hearing shall include the following assessments by the court: (i) whether the guardian or conservator is fulfilling his duties and (ii) whether continuation of the guardianship or conservatorship is necessary and, if so, whether the scope of such guardianship or conservatorship warrants modification.

Celebrating the life of Steven Clarke Crandall.

Real property; duty to disclose ownership interest and lis pendens. Provides that a real estate licensee has an affirmative duty, upon having substantive discussions about specific real property, to disclose in writing to the purchaser, seller, lessor, or lessee of the property if he, any member of his family, his firm, any member of his firm, or any entity in which he has an ownership interest has or will have an ownership interest as a party to the transaction and must also disclose in writing that he is a licensee. The bill requires that an owner of a residential dwelling unit who has actual knowledge of a lis pendens filed against the dwelling unit must provide to a prospective purchaser a written disclosure of such fact on a form provided by the Real Estate Board on its website.