Study; JLARC; magistrates; report. Directs the Joint Study; JLARC; magistrates; report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to, by November 30, 2024, study the magisterial system in the Commonwealth in order to analyze its effectiveness, compare the organization and use of magistrates in the Commonwealth to that of other states with both similar and dissimilar magisterial systems, and those without magisterial systems, and provide suggestions for improving the magisterial system in the Commonwealth. In conducting its study, JLARC is directed to (i) define the term "magistrate" as it is used in the Commonwealth and by other states that use the same or a similar term; (ii) determine which states use magistrates in a role or function comparable to the Commonwealth and compare the role or functions and workloads of such magistrates to magistrates in the Commonwealth; (iii) determine the methods of selection, methods of oversight, and the term lengths, if any, of magistrates in other states that use magistrates in a role or function comparable to the Commonwealth; (iv) determine which states do not have magistrates and identify in such states who performs the functions of that of a magistrate; (v) determine in which states the role or functions performed by magistrates differ significantly from the role or functions performed by magistrates in the Commonwealth and analyze (a) the difference in the role or functions performed by such magistrates in other states as well as the difference in education and training requirements for such magistrates in other states, (b) where such magisterial role or function falls within such other states' judicial or justice system and the overall workload for and effectiveness of such magisterial role or function, and (c) any potential limitations with such magisterial role or function in such other states as compared to the magisterial system in the Commonwealth; and (vi) provide recommendations for the improvement or reorganization of the magisterial system in the Commonwealth.

Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm following an assault and battery against a person in a dating relationship with the alleged offender, penalty. Provides that any person who knowingly and intentionally purchases, possesses, or transports any firearm following a misdemeanor conviction for an offense that occurred on or after July 1, 2023, for the offense of assault and battery against a person in a dating relationship, as defined in the bill, with the alleged offender or an offense substantially similar under the laws of any other state or of the United States is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Unemployment compensation; continuation of benefits; repayment of overpayments. Makes permanent provisions of the Code that expired 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 requires 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. Unemployment compensation; continuation of benefits; repayment of overpayments. Makes permanent provisions of the Code that expired 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 requires 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 unpaid overpayment of benefits established since March 15, 2020, to the collections process indefinitely. The bill specifies that all costs that result from implementing provisions of this bill shall be incurred by federal administrative grants and the general fund. Additionally, the bill adds overpayments that the Commission has waived the requirement to repay to the list of situations where specific employers are not responsible for benefit charges.

Livable home tax credit. Increases from $1 million to $2 million, beginning in fiscal year 2024, the aggregate cap of tax credits allowed by the livable home tax credit in a fiscal year. The bill increases from $500,000 to $1 million, beginning in fiscal year 2024, the amount of credits allocated by the Department of Housing and Community Development to each of (i) the purchase or construction of new residences and (ii) the retrofitting and renovation of existing residences. The bill also increases from $5,000 to $6,500, beginning in taxable year 2023, the maximum amount of livable home tax credits an individual may claim in a taxable year.

Department of Education; establishment of Farm to School Program Task Force. Requires the Department of Education to establish and appoint such members as it deems necessary or appropriate to the Farm to School Program Task Force for the purpose of increasing student access throughout the Commonwealth to high-quality farm to school programs, defined in the bill as programs (i) whereby public schools purchase and feature prominently in school meals locally produced food or (ii) that involve experiential student learning opportunities relating to local food and agriculture, including school and community garden programs and local farm visits. The bill requires the Task Force to collaborate with local school boards, community-based organizations, farmers, relevant state and local agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to (a) assess existing farm to school programs within and outside the Commonwealth to identify and disseminate to each local school board best practices for implementing and sustaining such programs, (b) establish and distribute to each local school board a guidance document for the establishment and operation of school garden programs, (c) provide information and resources to each local school board to assist it in leveraging grant funds to support farm to school programs, and (d) collect such data and make such policy recommendations to local school boards, the Board of Education, and the General Assembly as it deems appropriate.

Arrest and return of parolee or felon serving a period of postrelease supervision. Directs the circuit court of the sentencing jurisdiction to initiate proceedings against a felon serving a period of postrelease supervision upon a showing of a violation or probable violation of any of the terms or conditions of his release. Under current law, the Chairman or any member of the Parole Board initiates such proceedings.

School crossing zones; speed decrease; Planning District 8. Authorizes the governing body of a county in Planning District 8 to decrease the speed limit in a school crossing zone if the school board having jurisdiction over such school passes a resolution requesting the decrease of the speed limit in such school crossing zone. Current law authorizes such governing bodies to increase or decrease such speed limits after justification for the increase or decrease has been shown by an engineering and traffic investigation. The bill provides that the authority to increase and decrease such speed limits applies on highways in the state highway system.

Community services boards; behavioral health authorities; performance contracts. Modifies and reorganizes provisions related to the requirements of performance contracts entered into by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services with community services boards and behavioral health authorities. As introduced this bill was a recommendation of the Behavioral Health Commission and the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. Certain subsections of the bill have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2024.

Supplementing compensation of public defender. Allows the governing body of any county or city that elects to supplement the compensation of the public defender or any of his deputies to pay such funds directly to the Indigent Defense Commission or to the employees with notice to the Commission of any amount so provided. The bill requires the Commission to provide the funds directly to employees in combination with the compensation fixed by the executive director. Current law requires that such funds be provided directly to the employees, with notice to the Commission of the amount of such funds. Supplementing compensation of public defender. Allows the governing body of any county or city that elects to supplement the compensation of the public defender or any of his deputies to pay such funds directly to the Indigent Defense Commission or to the employees with notice to the Commission of any amount so provided. The bill requires the Commission to provide the funds directly to employees in combination with the compensation fixed by the executive director. Current law requires that such funds be provided directly to the employees, with notice to the Commission of the amount of such funds.

Department of Education; Teach for Virginia Loan Repayment Assistance Fund and Program established. Establishes the Teach for Virginia Loan Repayment Assistance Fund and Program, to be administered by the Department of Education, for the purpose of recruiting and retaining teachers in communities and subject areas in which they are needed the most by providing on a competitive basis an annual renewable grant of up to $5,000 toward loan repayment assistance to any teacher licensed by the Board of Education who has certain student loan debt, who is currently employed by a local school division in the Commonwealth, and who, for at least one year immediately preceding application, has taught in a public elementary or secondary school in the Commonwealth in a critical shortage area identified by the Superintendent of Public Instruction pursuant to relevant law or in a public elementary or secondary school in the Commonwealth in which the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced price lunch is higher than the statewide average percentage of students eligible for free or reduced price lunch.

Judgment or order for pregnancy and delivery expenses. Provides that in the event that the initial petition for the establishment of parentage is commenced within six months of the live birth of a child, the judgment or order shall, except for good cause shown or as otherwise agreed to by the parties, apportion between the legal parents, in proportion to the legal parents' gross incomes, as used for calculating the monthly child support obligation, (i) the mother's unreimbursed pregnancy and delivery expenses and (ii) those reasonable expenses incurred by either parent for the benefit of the child prior to the birth of the child.

Nonprofit corporations; residential address. Provides that a nonprofit corporation with a registered office at a residential address shall be permitted, in any filing submitted to the State Corporation Commission pursuant to the Virginia Nonstock Corporation Act that requires the residential address of the nonprofit corporation or the residential address of its registered agent or any board members, to submit a post office box address instead of a residential address as part of such filing. The bill prohibits the Commission from disclosing any such residential address without prior approval from the nonprofit corporation.

Provision of abortion; right to informed consent. Requires physicians and authorized nurse practitioners to follow certain procedures and processes to effect a pregnant woman's informed written consent prior to the performance of an abortion. Provision of abortion; right to informed consent. Requires physicians and authorized nurse practitioners to follow certain procedures and processes to effect a pregnant woman's informed written consent prior to the performance of an abortion.

Racketeering offenses; penalty. Adds petit larceny to the list of offenses included in the definition of "racketeering activity." The bill prohibits any person who is directed by an organizer, supervisor, or manager of an enterprise from (i) receiving or distributing any proceeds or anything of value known to have been derived directly from racketeering activity and (ii) using or investing an aggregate of $10,000 or more of such proceeds or such things of value in the acquisition of any title to, or any right, interest, or equity in, real property, or in the establishment or operation of any enterprise. A first offense is punishable by between five and 40 years' imprisonment and a fine of not more than $1 million, and a second or subsequent offense is punishable as a Class 2 felony and a fine of not more than $2 million. Racketeering offenses; penalty. Adds petit larceny to the list of offenses included in the definition of "racketeering activity." The bill prohibits any person who is directed by an organizer, supervisor, or manager of an enterprise from (i) receiving or distributing any proceeds or anything of value known to have been derived directly from racketeering activity and (ii) using or investing an aggregate of $10,000 or more of such proceeds or such things of value in the acquisition of any title to, or any right, interest, or equity in, real property, or in the establishment or operation of any enterprise. A first offense is punishable by between five and 40 years' imprisonment and a fine of not more than $1 million, and a second or subsequent offense is punishable as a Class 2 felony and a fine of not more than $2 million. Current law criminalizes an enterprise or any person who occupies a position of organizer, supervisor, or manager of an enterprise for (a) receiving proceeds from racketeering and (b) using or investing $10,000 or more of such proceeds in the acquisition of any title to, or any right, interest, or equity in, real property, or in the establishment or operation of any enterprise.

Comprehensive children's health care coverage program. Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to establish a program to provide state-funded comprehensive health care coverage for individuals in the Commonwealth who (i) are under 19 years of age, (ii) are not covered under a group health plan or health insurance coverage, and (iii) but for their immigration status would be eligible for medical assistance services through the Commonwealth's program of medical assistance services established pursuant to Title XIX or XXI of the Social Security Act. The bill also requires the Department to ensure that all program information is made available in a manner that is accessible to individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities through the provision of language access services, including oral interpretation and written translations, free of charge and to ensure that information obtained by the program remains confidential and is not disclosed for any purpose not related to the administration of the program or any purpose related to civil immigration enforcement unless the subject of the information consents to such disclosure or the requesting agency presents a valid judicial order, subpoena, or warrant. Comprehensive children's health care coverage program. Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to establish a program to provide state-funded comprehensive health care coverage for individuals in the Commonwealth who (i) are under 19 years of age, (ii) are not covered under a group health plan or health insurance coverage, and (iii) but for their immigration status would be eligible for medical assistance services through the Commonwealth's program of medical assistance services established pursuant to Title XIX or XXI of the Social Security Act. The bill also requires the Department to ensure that all program information is made available in a manner that is accessible to individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities through the provision of language access services, including oral interpretation and written translations, free of charge and to ensure that information obtained by the program remains confidential and is not disclosed for any purpose not related to the administration of the program or any purpose related to civil immigration enforcement unless the subject of the information consents to such disclosure or the requesting agency presents a valid judicial order, subpoena, or warrant. The bill also requires the Department to (a) establish a workgroup composed of individuals with experience conducting outreach to individuals who are eligible for the program established by the bill to advise and assist the Department in carrying out marketing and outreach activities required by the bill and (b) seek all federal waivers and other approvals necessary to maximize federal financial participation in the cost of carrying out the program established by the bill.