NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY 6, 2021

Neighbors,

February is Black History Month. As we honor the contribution of Black Americans to our nation’s history, I am proud of the work we are doing in Virginia to address systemic racism and advance racial and economic justice. 

We expect more snow this weekend. Please see winter weather resources on my constituent services webpage here. 

In the legislative session, we reached the “crossover” deadline. This means that the House of Delegates and state Senate have taken final action on bills originally introduced in each of our chambers. Starting next week, we will consider bills that were introduced in the other chamber.

My House Bill 2161 made the front page of the Virginia Pilot! Learn more about this bill below in my legislative updates.

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Below you will find: 

  • Information about my upcoming Virtual Town Hall

  • Updates on Virginia’s COVID-19 response

  • Legislative updates

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need assistance. You can reach me by email at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov or call my office at 804-698-1042.

Best, Kathy

Delegate, 42nd District 

VIRTUAL TOWN HALL ON 2/13 AT 10am

Thanks to everyone who joined my town hall last weekend - I’m having another one on Saturday, February 13 at 10am!

Hear updates from me and Senators George Barker, Dave Marsden, and Dick Saslaw at our virtual Town Hall!

Please use the following link to register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcrceuhqTsvH9xSoOguxZbKofVkAhF0RGGB 

COVID-19 UPDATES

Vaccine Registration

I have received many questions about whether or not to pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccine with the Virginia Department of Health or the Fairfax Health District. 

We have updated guidance: Governor Northam has indicated that if you have registered in one system, you will not have to register in the other. As I mentioned previously, the Virginia Department of Health is developing a registration system, and it will link with the local health districts’ registration systems. This will help streamline pre-registration of people who are eligible for a vaccine under Phase 1a and 1b. 

To learn if you are eligible in Phase 1a or Phase 1b, see the Virginia Department of Health website here. If you are eligible, you can register for a COVID-19 vaccination appointment through Fairfax County here.

Federal Partnership with Retail Pharmacies

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has established a new partnership with retail pharmacies across the country to provide COVID-19 vaccination opportunities. For Virginia, CVS will be the first retail pharmacy to offer COVID-19 vaccines at its stores. 

I have spoken with CVS about this program. They will offer vaccination opportunities at 36 retail locations in the Commonwealth. Initially, they will have 26,000 doses and hope to increase the number of participating stores in the future as more vaccines become available. This program will begin later next week. More information is available here. (Note, since this press release was issued, CVS has added additional participating sites in Virginia). 

More information on the final participating sites and how to register for vaccinations at CVS retail stores will be available next week from CVS. 

Also, the vaccine doses provided through the federal partnership with retail pharmacies will be in addition to what the federal government is allocating to Virginia and what the federal government has contracted with CVS/Walgreens to provide vaccinations at long-term care facilities. 

Return to In-Person Learning

Governor Northam has directed local school districts to make in-person learning available by March 15, 2021 based on the guidance the Virginia Department of Education and Virginia Department of Health that was issued in January (see it here) as well as the Centers for Disease Control guidance (which you can find here).

Additionally, Governor Northam has shared that his administration will be working with local school districts that choose to offer summer school.

Unemployment Benefits

The federal government extended unemployment benefits at the end of December. This requires the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) to implement new federal rules, particularly for the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance programs. The VEC anticipates it will issue guidance early next week about updates to these programs. 

I have heard from constituents who are waiting to receive their unemployment benefits, including those whose benefits unexpectedly ended in December and January. I am continuing to communicate with the VEC about these claims. If you are experiencing issues with your unemployment insurance benefits, please email me at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov. 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATED

As of today, 100% of the bills I have introduced have passed the House of Delegates, many with unanimous or strong bipartisan support. They will now be considered by the Senate. Below are summaries of the bills that passed this week. 

My Legislative Agenda

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House Bill 2035 unanimously passed the House of Delegates. This is my bill to expand employment opportunities for TANF recipients.

  • House Bill 2037 passed the House of Delegates with bipartisan support. This is my bill to allow unemployed Virginians to keep their unemployment benefits and not have to return to work if they have a COVID-19 diagnosis, are caring for a family member with COVID-19, or believe their workplace is not complying with Virginia’s COVID-19 workplace safety standards.

  • House Bill 2160 passed the House of Delegates with bipartisan support. This is my bill to eliminate electric utility monopolies’ automatic profit bonuses and return over earnings to customers. You can read more about this legislation and others aimed at reducing our electricity bills in The Richmond Times Dispatch here and the Beacon’s Rebellion here.

  • House Bill 2161 unanimously passed the House of Delegates. This is my bill to protect military service members, military spouses, and their dependents from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The Virginia Pilot included an article about this bill on its front page this week, and you can read it here.

  • House Bill 2162 unanimously passed the House of Delegates. This is my bill to establish a right for individuals with disabilities to have a designated support person provide them assistance at certain medical facilities. 

  • House Bill 2163 passed the House of Delegates. This is my bill to protect all DMV customer data, including limiting the use of this data for civil immigration enforcement. You can read about this bill in The Richmond Times Dispatch here. 

Below are updates on some bills that have passed the House of Delegates this past week. These bills will now be considered by the Senate. 

Criminal Justice Reform

  • House Bill 2263 abolishes the death penalty in Virginia. The Senate has passed a similar measure, and I am confident these bills will head to the Governor soon for his signature. 

  • House Bill 2312 legalizes possession of marijuana for individuals over 21 and the recreational sale of marijuana. This bill also creates a regulatory system for the future recreational marijuana industry and seeks to invest in communities disproportionately harmed by the inequitable policing of previous marijuana criminalization laws.

  • House Bill 2113 creates a process for automatic expungement of certain non-violent felony and misdemeanor convictions and charges. 

  • House Joint Resolution 555 allows individuals convicted of a felony to regain their political rights, including the right to vote, after fully serving their sentence and/or parole.

Environment 

  • House Bill 1965 directs the State Air Pollution Control Board to implement a low-emissions and zero-emissions vehicle program.

  • House Bill 1979 creates a rebate program for purchasing electric vehicles.

  • House Bill 2074 establishes an interagency working group on environmental justice to assess how our environmental policies affect racial and economic equity.

Healthcare Access

  • House Bill 1822 prohibits health insurance companies from selling prescribed asthma inhalers for more than $50 to insured individuals.

  • House Bill 2230 creates a program to inform people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, their families, and others about supported decision-making agreements.

Worker Protections / Workforce Development

  • House Bill 2137 requires certain employers to provide paid sick leave to employees who are essential workers and meet other criteria.

  • House Bill 2155 defines workplace harassment and sexual harassment, and updates when employees are able to seek redress through the Office of the Attorney General.

Voting Rights

  • House Bill 1890 establishes the Virginia Voting Rights Act. The bill prohibits the state and local governments from conducting voter suppression based on race or color or membership in a language minority group.

  • House Bill 2082 requires additional transparency in the deliberations of the Virginia Redistricting Commission.

Tax Relief

  • House Bill 2185 provides businesses with a sales tax exemption for personal protective equipment purchases.