Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. SB 527: This bill removes the sunset clause from the authorization for the sale of neutral grain spirits or alcohol up to a proof limit of 151 in ABC stores. Additional increases are set to take effect as follows: We hope our reporting of the 2021 new Virginia laws has been helpful. While previous laws simply banned talking on the phone while driving, this new law specifically states that it is unlawful for drivers to hold a handheld personal communications device for any reason (except for in certain cases outlined in the Code, such as to report an emergency). Also among the new laws, is a prohibition against health insurance and other insurance carriers to charge more than $50 per 30-day supply of insulin. Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Is There Any Difference Between a Tractor Trailer Accident and a Car Accident? The ones not approved by the Governor were either vetoed or sent back for more study. There are a few criteria you must meet, including: The conviction must be a first-time DUI; Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) must be .15 or less; You must make a motion to request the court grant a restricted license; and, You must have a functioning, certified ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle for the one-year period. Virginia Car Seat Laws & Motor Vehicle Code Updates for 2022 Effective May 1st 2021 the minimum wage increased to $9.50. Suite A This statute requires that every vehicle have two red lights plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet on the rear of the vehicle. In order to qualify for the any purpose restricted license, the driver must follow these requirements: The driver must use a remote alcohol monitoring device for a predetermined length of time. No evidence discovered or obtained as a result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the operators consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.. Reckless driving is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia, punishable by hefty fines, license suspension, and even, in some cases, jail time. Virginia laws going into effect Jan. 1, 2022 | WRIC ABC 8News The minimum fine for littering in Virginia will double on July 1, going from $250 to $500. There really isnt much point behind this and its really not going to accomplish anything positive, Hall said. 46.2-1013. The white rabbit in scientific lab experiment, Hands of a missing kidnapped, abused, hostage, victim woman tied. These changes were approved during the General Assemblys Special Session in 2020. Now, the federal No Surprises Act (NSA), which takes effect on the first of the year, will provide additional protections for more people against surprise billing for medical expenses. March 1, 2021 Beginning March 1, 2021, searches and seizures based solely on the odor of marijuana will not be allowed under Virginia law. Winchester, VA 22601, 1807 Seminole Trail While there are a few other changes to the laws (such as the presence of non-stock lights on certain vehicles), this list covers the big ones worth knowing about. info@ritchielawfirm.com, 71 South Court Square Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved. 0 hbbd```b``A$- Many Virginians are already protected against surprise medical bills thanks to a Virginia law that took effect on Jan. 1, 2021. HB 1060: Expands the definition of "critically missing adult" to include any missing adult, including an adult who has a developmental disability, intellectual disability, or mental illness, 18 years of age or older for the purpose of receipt of critically missing adult reports by a police or sheriff's department and the Virginia Critically Missing Adult Alert Program administered by the Department of State Police and removes from the Program the eligibility requirement that the adult is believed to have been abducted. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, According to the Virginia Public Access Project.