Below are a few highlights of the bills that garnered our attention in the 2023 Session.

Education:

• A Senate committee killed multiple house bills aiming to increase parental oversight in public schools.
• Bills that AAUW–VA was concerned would divert state education funds to a voucher program were defeated.

Reproductive Rights:

• All abortion bans were buried prior to legislative crossover 2/7.
• Fortunately, a bill directing VA Department of Health to list “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” on their website over the objections of the American Medical Association was defeated.
• The bill that would have protected online menstrual tracker data from subpoenas was defeated in the house along with the Contraception Equity Act, which would have insurers cover the cost of contraceptives

Workplace Rights:

• Efforts to expand paid family and medical leave and sick leave were defeated in committee.
• Both a salary history ban and a mandate for workplace harassment training were defeated in a House committee.

Voting Rights:

The bill passed removing the required witness on an absentee ballot.

2023 Budget Amendments:

The reduction of the state’s grocery tax has left a $201–million–dollar shortfall for Virginia schools in many communities.

Additional Notes:

If the governor chooses to veto a bill, it takes a 2/3 vote in both chambers to override.
The governor will reconvene the Virginia Legislature on April 12th to address any unresolved
state issues.

2023 will be a very active political year in Virginia with the entire General Assembly up for
election. Both Senator Janet Howell (D), Delegate Kathleen Murphy (D) and Senate Leader Dick
Saslaw (D) have announced their retirements.

Attention: AAUW Mclean, plan now on ways to support candidates who will fight for AAUW
Values in Richmond.

Submitted by Public Policy Co–Chairs, Carol Mournighan and Janet Taylor