New Virginia laws: No farmland sales to China, worship centers protected.

A Total of 35 Laws Set to Go into Effect in Virginia

A total of 35 laws in Virginia are set to go into effect on Saturday, bringing about significant changes in various areas. These laws cover a wide range of topics, from foreign land ownership to protections for places of worship. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key laws:

Sale of Farmland to China

One of the notable laws prohibits China, along with any “foreign adversary,” from purchasing agricultural land in Virginia. This measure aligns with similar efforts being made at the federal level and in other states. Governor Glenn Youngkin emphasized the importance of Virginians owning their own agricultural lands, rather than foreign entities.

Right to Worship

Recognizing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this law ensures that places of worship are not subjected to stricter closures or limitations compared to businesses and secular organizations. It aims to protect the freedom of religious practice while maintaining public health measures.

Absentee Ballots

Streamlining the voting process, this law eliminates the requirement for a witness signature when voting via mail-in ballots. Instead, voters can simply provide the last four digits of their Social Security number. This change aims to make voting more accessible and convenient for all eligible citizens.

Minimum Wage for Employees with Disabilities

Starting from July 1, all employees hired in Virginia will be entitled to the state minimum wage. Additionally, employees with disabilities who were hired before this date and previously exempt from the minimum wage will see a phased increase in their wages over the next seven years. This ensures fair compensation for all workers.

Hearing Aids for Children

Recognizing the importance of children’s health, this law mandates that health insurance providers cover hearing aids for minors when recommended by a doctor. The coverage includes one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear, up to a cost of $1,500, every 24 months. This ensures that children with hearing impairments have access to necessary medical devices.

Firearm Safety Tax Credit

Encouraging responsible firearm ownership, this law introduces an income tax credit of up to $300 for individuals purchasing firearm safety devices, such as gun safes and locks, from tax year 2023 to tax year 2027. This incentivizes the adoption of safety measures to prevent accidents and unauthorized access to firearms.

Pornography Age Verification

Addressing concerns regarding underage access to explicit content, this law requires pornography websites to verify the age of their users and restricts access for individuals under the age of 18. Virginia joins Louisiana as one of the first states to implement age verification measures for websites with significant adult content.

These are just a few highlights from the comprehensive list of laws that will go into effect on Saturday. To explore the full range of changes, you can find the complete list here.