In the News

Bills to Fund Veterans Care Centers in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads Advance from House Appropriations Committee

Legislation to provide $66.7 million in state funding for new Veterans Care Centers in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads advanced from the House Appropriations Committee Wednesday. The bills, HB1275 and HB1276, fund Virginia’s share of construction for the centers, which provide affordable, long-term nursing care for veterans. Care centers are built with 65 percent federal funding and 35 percent state funding. Speaking about the legislation, House Majority Leader M. Kirkland Cox (R-Colonial Heights) said, “Virginia currently has only two veterans care centers with a combined 400 beds to serve the 781,000 veterans who reside in the Commonwealth. Legislation funding new veterans centers will meet a critical need for the men and women who have honorably served our country. Not only will the new centers give veterans with family members in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads a chance to be near loved ones, but it will also allow our existing care centers in Richmond and Salem to better meet the regional needs of their veteran population. The bipartisan support for this important legislation in the House puts us one step closer to giving veterans in Virginia the quality care that they deserve.”

Virginia currently has Veterans Care Centers in Salem and Richmond. Veterans Care Centers are state-of-the-art facilities that provide high quality, long-term care to veterans. Virginia is home to nearly 800,000 veterans but ranks near the bottom in the ratio of veterans to available care centers. Virginia first authorized funding for the Hampton Roads care center in 2006, and the Northern Virginia care center in 2008.

“Maine has a bed in a veterans care center for every 200 veterans in the state. Virginia has a bed for every 2,000 veterans,” said Chris Stolle (R-Virginia Beach). “Working with our local partners in Virginia Beach last year, we identified land for the new veterans center to serve Hampton Roads. These two new regional veterans care centers in the population centers of Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads will make it easier for those who have served to get the care they need.”

The Virginia Beach City Council voted last year to reserve 15 to 25 acres of city land as the site of a proposed Veterans Care Center in Hampton Roads. House Bill 1275, introduced by House Majority Leader Kirk Cox and Delegate Chris Stolle, dedicates funding for a proposed 230-bed long-term care facility to be located in the Hampton Roads area.

Through the efforts of Del. Rich Anderson (R-Prince William) two sites have been identified for a 230-bed Northern Virginia Care Center, one in Innovation Park, Prince William County and another site on George Mason University’s Prince William County Campus.

Delegate Rich Anderson said, “There are about 200,000 veterans living in Northern Virginia alone, yet a Manassas resident faces a two hour drive to visit a family member or loved one in the nearest Virginia Veterans Care Center. Moving this legislation forward puts us that much closer to breaking ground and living up to our promise to be the most veteran-friendly state in the country.”

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Delegate Christopher K. Peace excited to Announce Support from Virginia Tea Party Patriots Federation

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Delegate Christopher K Peace (R-Hanover) was glad to see that the Virginia Tea Party Patriots Federation has included their support of three pieces of his legislation for the 2015 Session on their legislative priorities. Peace’s bills included are House Bill (HB) 1363, HB 1364, and HB 2081. HB 1363 would make it unlawful to apply industrial wastes to land located in the County of Hanover, King William, or New Kent. It places a complete moratorium on the practice.

HB 1364 allows localities to adopt ordinances that provide for the testing and monitoring of the land application of industrial wastes. The bill requires the State Water Control Board (the Board) to adopt emergency regulations, requiring persons that land apply industrial wastes to collect a fee from the generator of the industrial wastes and remit the fee to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The fee cannot exceed the direct costs to localities of testing and monitoring the land application of industrial wastes. The bill requires the Board's regulations to include procedures for (i) collection of the fees by DEQ, (ii) deposit of the collected fees into the Sludge Management Fund (the Fund), and (iii) disbursements from the Fund to localities for the testing and monitoring of the industrial wastes.

HB 2081 prohibits an employer from requiring, requesting, or causing a current or prospective employee to disclose the username and password to the current or prospective employee's social media account. The measure also prohibits an employer from (i) requiring an employee to add an employee, a supervisor, or an administrator to the list or contacts associated with the employee's social media account or (ii) changing the privacy settings associated with the employee's social media account.

Speaking about the support Peace said, “It is great that the Tea Party has chosen to support these measures, especially measures that are concerned with the health of constituents.”

Delegate Christopher K. Peace is frequently rated one of Virginia’s most business-friendly conservatives. Peace’s voting record shows a consistent focus on opposing tax increases, protecting family values, defending the Constitution and promoting job creating and a high quality of life in Hanover, King William, and New Kent Counties.

House and Senate leaders highlight human trafficking legislation

House and Senate leaders held a press conference Wednesday to highlight legislation to combat human trafficking in Virginia. House Bill 1964 (Hugo) and Senate Bill 1188 (Obenshain) would for the first time in Virginia create a standalone statute for sex trafficking. Delegates Rob Bell (R-Albemarle), Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) and David Yancey (R-Newport News) also attended the press conference. HB1964, introduced by Delegate Hugo, will define and establish the offense of sex trafficking as a class 2 felony, which includes sex trafficking of a minor. It establishes mandatory minimum sentencing for a perpetrator when a minor becomes the victim of sex trafficking, and would criminalize the recruitment of minors and adults for commercial sex.

Commenting on the legislation, Delegate Hugo said, “We must continue to send traffickers, buyers, and facilitators the message that they are not welcome in our state. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly, the Courts of Justice Committees, and Delegates Rob Bell and Todd Gilbert, who have been leaders on this issue, to continue the fight against this abhorrent crime. Those who would seek to harm our children will know that our kids are not for sale in Virginia. Not now, and not ever.”

This will be the fourth piece of legislation in four years introduced by Delegate Hugo aimed at human trafficking. HB1898, introduced by Delegate Hugo in 2011, passed into law, making abduction for the purposes of child prostitution a felony. HB1606, which became law in 2013, increased the punishment for those soliciting minors for prostitution. Most recently in 2014, he passed HB485, which empowers law enforcement to better track down and arrest suspected traffickers.

General Assembly appoints Court of Appeals Judge D. Arthur Kelsey to Virginia Supreme Court

The Virginia General Assembly on Tuesday appointed Court of Appeals Judge D. Arthur Kelsey as a Justice to the Virginia Supreme Court. Kelsey has served on the Court of Appeals since 2002 and prior to that served as a Circuit Court judge in the Fifth Circuit, which includes Suffolk, Southampton County and Isle of Wight County. Kelsey was elevated to the Supreme Court on a unanimous vote in the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia. “Judge Kelsey is an experienced, widely-respected and accomplished jurist who will faithfully interpret and defend the law, Constitution of Virginia and Constitution of the United States,” said House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford). “Judge Kelsey received the highest recommendation of the Virginia State Bar and is acknowledged by his peers as a 'very knowledgeable and articulate' appellate judge. Judge Kelsey is a conservative who I am confident will practice judicial self-restraint and interpret the laws as written. I know Judge Kelsey will make an excellent member of the Supreme Court of Virginia.”

Kelsey was first elected to the Fifth Circuit, which includes Suffolk, Southampton County and Isle of Wight County. He attended Old Dominion University and received his law degree from the College of William & Mary.

“Arthur is a man with extraordinary intellect,” said S. Chris Jones (R-Suffolk). “He is acknowledged by his peers as a sound thinker and scholar with a keen ability to understand the law and articulate its application to the cases before him. He is as humble and grateful as any person I have ever met. He is exactly the kind of thoughtful jurist the people of Virginia deserve on the Supreme Court.”

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Stonewall Jackson Student Shadows Delegate Peace

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Central Virginia- Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) was delighted to host Stonewall Jackson Middle School student Lauren Schenack at the General Assembly today. Lauren spent the day getting a first-hand view of the legislative process, including attending committee meetings, floor session, and other activities with Delegate Peace. As a past volunteer for the office, Lauren said “I am excited to spend my day off of school learning more about the legislature.” Delegate Chris Peace is frequently rated one of Virginia's most business-friendly conservatives. Peace’s voting record shows a consistent focus on opposing tax increases, protecting family values defending the Constitution and promoting job creating and a high quality of life in Hanover, King William and New Kent counties.

PICTURED: Battlefield Elementary School teacher, Jeanine Schenack and her daughters Lauren, Lindsey and Emily.

 

Bills to make college more affordable advance from House committee

Two bills aimed at making college more affordable were passed unanimously by the House Appropriations Committee on Monday. The two bills, both introduced by Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), would cap student athletic fees and give smaller and mid-sized schools more flexibility over administrative decisions. “Making college more affordable is a central focus of our agenda this year and these two bills are first steps towards doing that,” said Cox. “We cannot continue to saddle our young people with massive student debt. Limiting athletic fees and giving schools more administrative flexibility will help drive down the cost of higher education.”

“Virginia has some of the best institutions of higher education in the world, but the costs are simply growing too fast,” said Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford). “Virginia students are borrowing over $1 billion per year to pay for college, and that’s going to hurt their long-term prosperity. These are good bills to help make college more affordable for families and students. I look forward to their final passage later this week.”

House Bill 1895 would grant additional administrative flexibility to several of Virginia's smaller and mid-sized public colleges and universities. Under this legislation, these schools would be given greater administrative and financial autonomy.

House Bill 1897 would limit the amount of athletic revenue that colleges and universities collect from mandatory student fees. The caps will be applied differently to Virginia’s Division I, Division II and Division III schools. Institutions will have five years to incrementally reduce mandatory student fees as a percentage of overall athletic revenue.

House Republicans highlight 2015 legislative agenda

Members of the House Republican Caucus outlined their 2015 agenda Monday at a press conference at the General Assembly Building in Richmond. Speaker Bill Howell (R-Stafford), Education Chairman Steve Landes (R-Weyers Cave), Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), and Budget Chairman Chris Jones (R-Suffolk) discussed the Republican agenda to reform and improve K-12 education, make higher education more affordable, support Virginia’s veterans and balance the budget without raising taxes or fees while investing in the core functions of government. “House Republicans have put forward a governing agenda that will prepare Virginia for long-term success,” said Speaker Bill Howell. “Our agenda focuses on reform-minded policies that would give students additional pathways to succeed, make a college education more accessible and responsibly balance our budget without raising taxes. We also have an opportunity this session to help restore our citizens’ trust in government through serious ethics reforms, including a meaningful cap on gifts. These are all ideas that should get bipartisan support and that make Virginia a better place to live and work.”

“We have a chance this year to pass legislation that would significantly improve our public schools and give all Virginia students a better opportunity to succeed,” said Del. Steve Landes. “We based our ‘Classroom Success’ agenda on policy recommendations from teachers, parents, administrators and students, who all identified ways to improve our schools. These measures include supporting our teachers through professional development opportunities, additional flexibility from overly burdensome state mandates, and reforms to standardized testing that give students a better opportunity to succeed. This education agenda builds on our past efforts to give every Virginia student the tools they need to graduate college- or career-ready.”

House Majority Leader Kirk Cox said, “Students and families are paying more every year for higher education, only to find that too often there is not a good-paying job available after graduation that lets them begin paying off student loans. Virginia students now borrow more than $1 billion every year. We have put forward solutions to make college more affordable, including limits on unreasonable athletic fees and giving smaller and medium-sized schools additional flexibility to reduce costs. Del. Nick Rush has proposed a ‘flat-fee degree’ that would give Virginia colleges and universities an incentive to offer a lower cost degree option for high-demand fields. Long-term economic growth in Virginia requires a workforce that’s trained in skills they can put to use. The Republican higher education agenda will take big steps towards making that the case in the Commonwealth.”

“House Republicans will craft a balanced budget that will clearly and strategically focus our resources on keeping our promises to fund the core services of government," said Del. Chris Jones. “We will not make cuts to K-12 and higher education, which are part of our foundation for long term growth in the Commonwealth. The House will also continue our reforms in the Medicaid program while also meeting the needs of our most vulnerable citizens, specifically mental health reforms from last year and to continue meeting the needs of the intellectually and developmentally disabled community. At the same time, we will work to cut any wasteful spending and ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely.”

Audio of the press conference is available upon request.

House Republicans Propose “Classroom Success” Education Reforms

~ Proposals will let teachers spend more time on classroom instruction and less time on mandatory reporting, give teachers additional support, and continue to reform student assessments ~ RICHMOND, VA - House Republican leaders announced their education agenda for the 2015 General Assembly on a press conference call with reporters Thursday. The “Classroom Success” agenda seeks to give every Virginia student access to a quality education. It builds on successful efforts in recent years to recruit and reward excellent teachers and give students additional pathways to success.

Speaking about the proposals, House Education Committee Chairman Steve Landes (R-Augusta) said, “No other policy area matters more for the future success of our Commonwealth than education. That’s why House Republicans put ‘Classroom Success’ education reforms at the center of our legislative agenda for 2015. This year, we have put forward important measures to support our hard-working teachers, give teachers and administrators flexibility to provide students with the best possible education, and improve the Standards of Learning tests to better measure actual student success. As Chairman of the House Education Committee, I look forward to working with Republicans and Democrats, as well as education leaders from across Virginia, on these important initiatives.”

“Virginia’s teachers have a lasting impact on the long-term success of our children,” said House Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), a retired teacher with more than 30 years of classroom experience. “That’s why we will build on recent efforts to support our dedicated teachers by prioritizing professional development and providing a platform for teachers to share best practices across the Commonwealth. Our SOL Reform efforts last year brought about many needed changes. Supporting our teachers during this transition period is critical. If we are to attract and retain the best and brightest teachers in Virginia, we must treat them like the professionals that they are.”

“Accountability is vitally important, but we must continue to seek the right balance in the classroom. Too often, teachers, students and parents are frustrated by overly-burdensome testing, which crowds out the valuable time that should be used for learning,” said Tag Greason (R-Loudoun), who will introduce additional reforms to Virginia’s assessment system. Greason carried last year’s landmark SOL reform bill. “Last year, we eliminated five SOL tests in grades 3-8. This year, we propose the expansion of expedited re-take tests for more students, as recommended by the SOL Innovation Committee, and will encourage the development of interdisciplinary tests that promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills.”

Greason will also introduce legislation to reform the school accreditation process. “The current one-size-fits-all accreditation system is ineffective. It unnecessarily burdens school leaders,” said Greason. “Good schools with track records of success should be freed from annual accreditation reporting, allowing teachers and administrators to spend more time on student learning. This proposal will give local leaders needed flexibility without sacrificing accountability in our schools.”

Steve Landes continued, “These are smart policies that will give students across the Commonwealth a better path to classroom success. As a parent, I’m eager to see these meaningful education reforms enacted.  They will make a positive difference for students and teachers.”

Alan Seibert, the President of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents applauded the proposals saying, “VASS is pleased with the bipartisan attention that K-12 education is receiving here in the Commonwealth, from reforming how students are tested, to how schools are accredited, and how success, progress and improvement are reported. Virginia's Superintendents have identified these issues, school funding, and instructional delivery in our Blueprint for the Future of Public Education and look forward to collaborating with the House Leaders, the rest of the General Assembly and the Administration in how to best achieve these goals."

House Republican Caucus K-12 Education Agenda

Supporting Our Teachers

Teacher Professional Development – As we continue to reform our assessment system to transition away from multiple choice and rote memorization, we are asking teachers to focus on critical thinking, problem solving, and implementing authentic performance assessments.  To help in this transition, the House will prioritize teacher professional development as part of our ongoing effort to support Virginia’s teachers. This will include developing a process to share teaching best practices across the commonwealth.

Reducing Bureaucratic Red Tape

Accreditation Flexibility (Greason) – Reform the standards of accreditation to provide flexibility in how often schools are accredited. Today, every school must endure the lengthy accreditation process every year.  Under this proposal, schools with a track record of success would be able to apply for a waiver allowing them to seek an alternative accreditation cycle of  three or  five years, depending on their past accreditation performance.  This legislation is based on a recommendation of the Standards of Learning Innovation Committee.

School Report Cards (Greason) – Replace the current A-F system with a more comprehensive school report card. The school report card would give parents a more complete way to measure the success of local schools without being overly simplistic or unfairly stigmatizing local schools.  The improved report card will focus on a wider range of metrics designed to give a better sense for how a school is doing.

Better Measures of Student Success

Expedited Retake (HB 1490; Habeeb) – Streamlines the state’s Standards of Learning retake process for all students at all grade levels. Students who nearly pass a standardized test would be given an additional opportunity to take the test during the same school year, giving them an additional opportunity to succeed.   Interdisciplinary Assessments (Greason) – Recommend that the Board of Education and Department of Education consider the inclusion of interdisciplinary assessments as part of continued efforts to reform the Standards of Learning tests. This would allow teachers to use different subjects like science, math, reading and writing in one test. This would encourage critical thinking and problem-solving, rather than simple rote memorization in one subject.

Other Proposals

Student privacy (HB 1307, HB 1334; Landes) – Enact additional safeguards to protect student privacy by prohibiting the collection of student social security numbers and by requiring the Department of Education to develop uniform policies related to the collection, storage and use of student’s personally-identifiable information.   Virtual Schools (HB 324, HB 1361; Dickie Bell) – Establishes the Virginia Virtual School and its governing board. The school is open to any Virginia student and will provide an educational program that meets the state’s Standards of Quality for grades K-12.   College Credit for AP Courses (HB 1336; Landes) – Requires the State Council of Higher Education to develop a standardizes system for granting college credits to students who have successfully completed one or more Advanced Placement, Cambridge Advanced (A/AS), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) or International Baccalaureate courses.

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Delegate Chris Peace Challenges McAuliffe’s Preferential Treatment of Controversial Labor Union

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-- Peace to submit budget language to address the Governor’s pro-union issue -- Central Virginia- Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) announced plans this week to introduce draft budget language that would address Governor McAuliffe’s preferential treatment of members of a controversial labor union in his 2015-2016 proposed budget amendments.

Governor McAuliffe’s proposed budget amendment would authorize overtime payment for up to 56 hours per week for consumer-directed (CD) personal assistance, respite, and companion services. McAuliffe’s proposal would pay members time and a half for every hour over 40 per week and potential cost taxpayers more.

The Governor’s proposal is not Medicaid reform but is expansion in another name. DMAS is the agency that administers Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program in Virginia. The language proposed in Delegate Peace’s amendment would cap the hours Medicaid would pay for consumer directed services at 40-hours per week and prohibit the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) from serving as the employer of record.

Finally, Peace’s budget language would protect and hold the Commonwealth harmless while the federal courts resolve the Department of Labor’s authority to require overtime payments at all. Delegate Peace continues to oppose Medicaid expansion.

Delegate Christopher K. Peace was elected to his fifth term representing the 97th District of the Virginia House of Delegates. The District includes parts of Hanover, King William, and all of New Kent County.

 

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Delegate Peace's 2015 Legislative Survey

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It has been an honor and a privilege to work for the citizens of the 97th House District. Working together, we have accomplished many things for our community and our Commonwealth. As we begin the 2015 legislative session, I hope you will take a few moments to share with me your thoughts on some of the issues facing the General Assembly.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this questionnaire. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance. For questions or concerns, I may be reached at 804-698-1097 or via e-mail at delcpeace@house.virginia.gov

Click here to take Delegate Peace's 2015 Legislative Survey

Majority Leader Kirk Cox proposes caps on mandatory student athletic fees to help make college more affordable

RICHMOND, VA – Virginia House of Delegates Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) announced Thursday that he will propose legislation in the 2015 General Assembly session to cap student athletic fees at Virginia’s four-year public universities. The legislation is based on a recommendation made by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. JLARC’s report concluded that “auxiliary enterprises have been the largest driver” of increased college costs in Virginia. “Virginia has world-class colleges and universities that produce some of the best and brightest students in the world. As parents to four sons who have graduated, currently attend or will soon attend college, my wife Julie and I understand firsthand the stress and anxiety brought on by the seemingly ever-increasing cost of higher education,” said Cox. “Virginia has great schools, but the cost of attending them is going up too much, too fast. The average cost of a four-year degree has increased by 28 percent since 2008. In 2012, Virginia had the fifth highest net cost in the country. Both of those figures exceed regional and national averages. We have to take steps to make college more affordable for families.”

Under Cox’s legislation, the amount of athletic revenue that colleges and universities collect from mandatory student fees would be limited. The caps will be applied differently to Virginia’s Division I, Division II and Division III schools. Institutions will have five years to incrementally reduce mandatory student fees as a percentage of overall athletic revenue. The exact percentage caps are still being developed.

“I am a huge sports fan. I am a former high school basketball coach and I currently coach youth baseball. My third son, Blake, has committed to playing college volleyball. Blake will represent a small fraction of students across the country who play college sports. In Virginia, only about three percent of college students will play intercollegiate athletics. But mandatory student fees account for, on average, 69 percent of athletic program expenditures, according to JLARC. In other words, we are asking non-athletes and their parents to cover two-thirds of the cost of college sports. In my view, we simply cannot ask students who will never play a minute of college sports to bear such a disproportionate share of the costs associated with these programs.”

Cox described this proposal and other ideas to make college more affordable in an op-ed in Thursday’s Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Statement of House Republican Leaders on Governor McAuliffe's proposed budget amendments

RICHMOND, VA – Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford), Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), Caucus Chairman Timothy D. Hugo (R-Fairfax), Majority Whip Jackson H. Miller (R-Manassas) and House Appropriations Committee Chairman S. Chris Jones (R-Suffolk) issued the following statement Wednesday on Governor Terry McAuliffe’s proposed budget amendments. “We appreciate the Governor’s work in crafting his proposed amendments and look forward to continuing to work with him wherever possible. There are areas where we agree and obviously areas where we disagree with his proposed amendments. The Governor’s proposal is the first step in this process.

“The House Appropriations Committee will now begin working to craft its proposed amendments. The goal of the House is, as always, to put together a conservative, responsible proposal that structurally balances the budget, protects the core functions of government and makes targeted investments when appropriate.

“We are disheartened by the Governor’s decision to include Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion in the budget. It is counterproductive for him to return to the same strategy that nearly resulted in a state government shutdown last year. The House of Delegates has overwhelmingly rejected Medicaid expansion three times and it would be irresponsible to try and again use the budget as leverage on this issue. We hope this is not the Governor’s intent.

“We are committed to protecting the Commonwealth’s status as one of the nation’s best managed states. The House of Delegates has consistently taken a conservative and prudent approach to the state’s balance sheet. This year will be no different. Again, we thank the Governor for his proposed amendments and look forward to working with him.”

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Virginia Awarded $17.5 Million Federal Preschool Expansion Grant

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Governor McAuliffe’s Office recently announced that Virginia’s application for a federal Preschool Development Grant was successful. Through the grant, the Commonwealth will receive $17.5 million, per year, for four years to provide a “VPI+” preschool program. This will include 100 new classrooms by the 4th year, and improved quality in 96 existing classrooms. As Chairman of the Virginia Commission on Youth, Delegate Peace said, “Virginia has a very strong K-12 education system, with great teachers and great students. But we have to continue to innovate and start early. Before children enroll in kindergarten, the gap begins to emerge for those who don’t have access to high-quality early childhood education. I believe that with strategic purpose, we can reduce these disparities much like we have reduced the number of children in foster care. The return is clear and will create long-term savings and sustainability. In September, I directed the Commission on Youth to send a letter of support for Virginia’s application for Federal Preschool Expansion Grant funds to HHS Secretary Burwell and DOE Secretary Duncan. I am proud that our Commission on Youth was able to be yet a small part of supporting the effort to secure grant funds.”

COY Letter of Support

Commission on Youth Announces Adoption of Study Recommendations

COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA

Commission on Youth

 

Delegate Christopher K. Peace, Chair
Senator Barbara A. Favola, Vice Chair
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Executive Director,Amy M. Atkinson
General Assembly Building
201 N. 9th Street, Suite 269
Richmond, Virginia 23219-0406
804-371-2481
FAX 804-371-0574
http://vcoy.virginia.gov
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2014
CONTACT: Amy Atkinson
804-371-2481

Commission on Youth Announces Adoption of Study Recommendations

RICHMOND – Delegate Christopher K. Peace, Chairman of the Virginia Commission on Youth, and Senator Barbara Favola, Vice Chair, are pleased to announce the adoption of legislative recommendations for three of the Commission’s 2014 initiatives: the Commission’s Study on Unlawful Adoption, the Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Schools, and Early Childhood Education – Workgroup on Quality. These recommendations seek to protect Virginia’s most vulnerable youth while strengthening service delivery to families and children.

The Virginia Commission on Youth is a bipartisan, standing legislative commission of the General Assembly comprised of 12 members (six Delegates, three Senators, and three citizens) that provides a legislative forum addressing the needs of and services to the Commonwealth's youth and their families. The Commission contributes to the General Assembly’s ability to make sound policy decisions based on well-studied and reasoned recommendations.

Over the course of the year, the Commission has worked closely with the McAuliffe administration and impacted stakeholders to identify best practices, engage families, and identify policies that research reveals yield the greatest returns. Speaking about the Commission’s recommendations, Delegate Christopher K. Peace, Chairman of the Commission on Youth, stated, “The recommendations adopted by the Commission accomplish three critically important goals. First, they will offer increased protections to Virginia’s most vulnerable children in the school setting. Second, they will support efforts to provide services to adoptive parents who may be struggling to meet the needs of their children. Third, they will provide extraordinary returns by ensuring our children have access to high quality education from early ages. He added, “I am very pleased that our Commission was able to develop policy recommendations that address these incredibly important topics.”

safe_imageThe Commission’s Vice-Chair, Senator Barbara Favola stated, “I am thrilled that the Commission adopted recommendations on all of these studies. The recommendations reflect the importance of early childhood development as well as the success of the Virginia Preschool Initiative. The Commission on Youth also understands the urgent need to assess Virginia’s existing child care system. We must move to a place where children are safe in every child care setting and receiving high-quality developmentally appropriate instruction.”

Summary Review of Recommendations Adopted by the Commission:

Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Virginia’s Schools

The Commission adopted several recommendations addressing the use of restraint and seclusion in Virginia’s public schools. The Commission will introduce legislation during the 2015 General Assembly requiring the Virginia Board of Education to promulgate regulations for the use of seclusion and restraint in public schools. The regulations will address criteria for use, training, parental notification, and follow-up. During the course of the study, the Commission met with family members, advocacy organizations, and school officials. This recommendation addresses concerns raised by family members who stated that schools reliance upon guidelines allows for discretion pertaining to the use of seclusion and restraint as well as notifying parents when it is used. The Commission sought to address these concerns while acknowledging the distinct emotional and physical developmental difference of students. The Commission also adopted a recommendation encouraging the Governor to finalize regulations governing private day schools for students with disabilities and supporting efforts to provide school officials with resources and training in techniques to reduce the use of seclusion and restraint.

Study on Unlawful Adoption

The Commission recently finalized the Study on Unlawful Adoption. This study reviewed the existence of "re-homing,” which occurs when a child is removed from one adoptive family and placed in another home without following established adoption procedures. Children who are re-homed are extremely vulnerable and are at great risk for human trafficking and abuse. The Commission adopted several recommendations to strengthen post-adoptive services for these families. Adoptive families may confront a variety of challenges because their children may have been abused, neglected, and have ongoing emotional, developmental, physical, or behavioral difficulties. The Commission also adopted a recommendation that asks the Governor to ensure there is adequate funding in the 2014-2016 Appropriations Act to fund fully the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, which would extend foster care and adoption assistance until the age of 21. Doing so would allow the Commonwealth to draw down partial federal reimbursement for support of young adults in the 19 to 21 age group. Youth who receive this type of assistance are more likely to graduate from high school and less likely to end up homeless or become involved in the criminal justice system.

Early Childhood Education – Workgroup on Quality

In the first five years of life, a child undergoes the most dramatic brain growth and development over the course of his lifetime. In June, the Commission hosted the Early Childhood Education Workgroup on Quality. The Workgroup brought members of the General Assembly, Executive Branch and stakeholders together to investigate ways Virginia can invest in high-quality early childhood education. Quality early childhood education is critical to success in school and the future workforce. Investments in high-quality early education have demonstrated a $3-15 return on investment.

The Commission adopted several recommendations from the workgroup to enhance quality. One recommendation is the creation of an interagency workgroup to develop a competency-based professional development framework for early childhood teachers. The workgroup will also consider a child care system where all providers, including home-based providers, obtain a child care license. The workgroup will study ways to achieve this goal by September 1, 2017. The Commission adopted a recommendation requesting further study of ways to improve access to the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI). The Commission also adopted a recommendation to address the lack of high-quality early childhood programs for Virginia’s military families and tracking the progress of Virginia’s kindergarten readiness assessment program.

Additional information about the Commission on Youth and the Commission’s initiatives can be obtained on the Commission’s website at http://vcoy.virginia.gov

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Delegate Peace ranked as one of the top three House members on 2014 Business Legislative Report Card

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-- VA Free 2014 General Assembly Report Card Released --

-- Peace Rated as Consistent Job Creating and Economic Development Legislator --

Central VA – VA Free recently released its 2014 General Assembly report card.  Delegate Christopher K. Peace(R-Hanover) was pleased to receive a score of 92.4 percent, ranked 3rd amongst his House colleagues on the legislative report which informs citizens on key business related votes taken by the General Assembly during the 2014 session.  Virginia FREE compiles annual voting records of all General Assembly members on important legislation affecting business and industry.

"This rating reflects my belief that low taxes create opportunities for job creation and economic growth. We need a smaller government for a stronger economy, but I strongly believe that there is much more work to be done to make this vision a reality. To improve our community’s quality of life and sustain Virginia’s economic recovery, government must lower the burden on taxpayers and guarantee individual liberty. For these reasons, I am pleased with this positive score,” commented Del. Peace.

VNG-KW Pipelaying

One of the bills considered in the VA Free evaluation was Delegate Peace’s House Bill 887, a measure to pursue modeling for a Governor's School for Career and Technical Education (CTE).  CTE training provides good paying jobs and strengthens workforce training opportunities in fields such as HVAC, culinary arts, plumbing, electrical, and finance.

“I applaud the leadership of Hanover Superintendent Dr. Jamelle Wilson and other school divisions for their work to implement my successful legislation.  While some students will attend Virginia's universities or community colleges, there are other students who would benefit from a workforce development or career readiness program that provides technical training for jobs in high paying manufacturing fields.  I am delighted that VA Free also recognizes and prioritizes this need for increased workforce readiness training.”

Peace visits CM

According to their website, Virginia Foundation for Research and Economic Education (VA Free) is an independent association committed to protecting and strengthening Virginia's prosperous business environment through the political process.  Founded in 1988, VA FREE provides a wealth of objective, non-partisan information to business.  VA FREE information, services and programs foster a business community prepared to take the lead in electing legislators who advance free enterprise and responsible, pro-business government.

Delegate Christopher K. Peace was elected to represent the 97th District of the Virginia House of Delegates.  The District includes parts of Hanover, King William, and all of New Kent County. 

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