New Virginia laws are taking effect. Here’s an overview.

Bills faced an uphill battle during this year’s legislative session at the General Assembly.

With a Republican majority in the House and a Senate whose Democratic majority dubbed itself “the blue wall,” getting legislation to the governor’s desk required some degree of bipartisan support. And even some measures with backing from both sides of the aisle were unexpectedly nixed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin in April.

But after months of negotiations — which outlasted the regular legislative session and concluded during a special session that kicked off in April — more than 800 bills were passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by the governor.

Here’s a list of the most notable new laws taking effect July 1.

Police can use facial recognition technology

Local law enforcement agencies can use facial recognition technology to help with their police work, including identifying an individual when there is a reasonable suspicion they have committed a crime, or identifying a crime victim.

Facial recognition technology is any electronic system used to compare images of a person’s facial features for the purpose of identification.

Ticket quotas are banned

No agency with law enforcement officers can establish a formal or informal quota that requires officers to make a specific number of arrests or citations within a given time frame.

Some governments can opt out of the Marcus Alert system

Smaller localities — those with a population under 40,000 — do not have to participate with the Marcus Alert program, which requires mental health providers to assist police who are responding to reports of someone experiencing a mental health crisis.

Schools must notify parents about explicit material

Teachers must notify parents about any sexually explicit materials that will be assigned in class. Parents are allowed to review the material and may request alternative assignments for their child.

Schools must report some misdemeanors

Principals must report to police certain misdemeanor crimes committed by students at school.

Safe haven law is extended

Parents can leave an infant within the first 30 days of the child’s life at a designated newborn safety spot located at a hospital. Virginia previously required the infant to be delivered within the first 14 days of the child’s life.

No discrimination for outward expressions of faith

Religious discrimination was already prohibited as it relates to housing, employment or public accommodations. But a new law clarifies this also applies to outward expressions of faith, such as wearing religious symbols.

Physicians can supervise more nurse practitioners

A physician could previously supervise up to six nurse practitioners. But under a new law, a physician can now supervise up to ten nurse practitioners — if they are psychiatric nurse practitioners.

Creation of a suicide prevention coordinator

The state’s Department of Veterans Services will be creating a new position: A suicide prevention coordinator to analyze data, increase mental health screenings for military members and help connect those in crisis with behavioral health professionals.

Tidewater localities must publish plans to protect water quality

Local governments in the Tidewater region must publicly publish their plans online related to water quality protection as required by the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act.

Stricter rules for animal breeding facilities

Several laws are taking effect that offer some protections to animals at breeding facilities. One prohibits a person or entity from selling a dog or cat for experimental purposes if they have received certain animal welfare violations. Another requires that such facilities keep records of each animal and submit reports to the state veterinarian.

Mandatory human trafficking prevention training

Hotel employees must undergo training on how to recognize and report suspected human trafficking. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services will offer this training at no cost to the hotels.

Human trafficking training standards for law enforcement

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services must establish training standards for law enforcement on how to recognize and report human trafficking.

New misdemeanor for marijuana possession

A new law passed in the state’s budget makes it a Class 3 misdemeanor to carry more than four ounces of marijuana but less than a pound in public. A second offense would be a Class 2 misdemeanor, which would result in harsher penalties.

Fines for sending unwanted sexual photos

An adult who knowingly sends an image by phone or computer that exposes human genitals to another person who has not consented to receive such images could now be forced to pay the recipient for actual damages or $500, whichever is greater, and for their attorney fees.

Mandatory hazing prevention training

Public and nonprofit private institutions of higher education must require students participating in organizations, such as fraternities and sororities, to receive “extensive, current, and in-person education” about the dangers of hazing.

The new law is dubbed “Adam’s law” in memory of Adam Oakes, a Virginia Commonwealth University student who died during a hazing incident last year.

Housing support for teens aging out of foster care

Teenagers who age out of the foster care system can receive a short-term housing stipend.

To-go cocktails can continue

Licensed establishments can continue selling to-go alcoholic beverages into 2024.

Civil penalties for charitable gaming

Any person or organization that conducts charitable gaming without obtaining a permit will face penalties of no less than $25,000 and no more than $50,000 per incident.

Expanded support for African American cemeteries

African American cemeteries that were built before 1948 can receive money from the state’s Historical African American Cemeteries and Graves Fund to help maintain the grounds and graves. Previously, only cemeteries built prior to 1900 were eligible.

Department of Corrections must study isolated confinement

The Department of Corrections must convene a work group to study the use of solitary confinement within state and juvenile correctional centers, including the length of time and the reasons why inmates are kept in solitary housing.

The work group must submit its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by December 1.

New traffic infraction

Regular vehicles may not park in spaces designated for charging electric cars. Those who violate this law will receive a fine.

No discrimination against students unable to afford school meals

Students cannot be denied the opportunity to participate in extracurricular school activities because the student owes the school a debt for school meals.

Establishment of a student advisory board

A student advisory board consisting of eight high school students appointed by the governor will be created to provide student perspectives on various issues to the Virginia Board of Education.

Defendant evaluation orders must be sent to state agency

If a court orders an evaluation of a defendant’s competency to stand trial, a copy of that order must be provided to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

Hunting dogs must be tagged

Those who hunt with a canine must ensure the dog has a secure tag identifying the name of the owner and a current phone number.

Hunting on Sunday is allowed

Hunting is now allowed on public land on Sundays as long as hunters stay at least 200 yards away from a house of worship.

Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com, 757-835-1487