Week 6 Recap of the 2025 General Assembly Session

February 21, 2025

Tomorrow is the last day of the 2025 General Assembly Legislative Session! Over the past two months, I have worked hard to ensure that YOUR priorities were reflected in this year’s legislative agenda. I met with many constituents and advocacy groups, collaborated with a variety of stakeholders, and shared your feedback with my colleagues. We were able to make a great deal of progress in such a short period of time, and I am eager to share some of our accomplishments.

I am beyond excited that all 13 of my priority bills successfully passed the General Assembly and are now just one signature away from becoming law!

From making childcare more affordable to protecting tenants’ rights and preventing gun violence, these pivotal pieces of legislation will make a real difference in the lives of Virginians. We’ve made incredible strides, and I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve achieved together.

On the House floor with my seat mates, Delegates Josh Cole, Phil Hernandez, Amy Laufer, and Rodney Willett

Legislative Update

13 of my bills and one resolution passed the General Assembly!

HB1614 – Increases the number of postpartum doula visits covered by Medicaid from 4 to 6, and extends the period of time to utilize these services from 6 months to 12 months.
HB1617 – Waives fees for homeless youth related to obtaining vital documents, such as birth certificates, drivers licenses, and state ID cards. These records are necessary for homeless youth to access many education, training, employment, food, housing, and other supportive programs.
HB1623 – Expands and makes permanent the Eviction Diversion Court Program within the General District Court to make the program available to any locality that wishes to participate. The program provides a payment plan option for qualifying tenants who may be experiencing a temporary crisis and are unable to pay rent on time.
HB1625 – Ensures that farmworkers and temporary foreign workers are finally included in Virginia’s minimum wage law.
HB1867 – Requires landlords to give 60 days’ notice if they decide not to renew a tenant’s lease.
HB1869 – Closes what is known as the “dating partner loophole.” Virginia law currently prohibits a person who has been convicted of assault and battery against a family or household member from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm. This firearm prohibition does not extend to dating partners, so my bill amends this issue.
HB1886 – Makes it clear that when a person has successfully completed all the terms and conditions set by a circuit or district court for a deferred disposition, the court cannot enter a conviction solely because the person has not paid all the court costs.
HB2064 – Requires licensed firearm dealers to provide a locking device when selling or transferring a firearm. It also requires dealers to include a specific written warning that guns should be locked and kept away from children, and that there may be civil and criminal liability for failing to do so.
HB2074 – Ensures tow truck professionals and road construction workers have the proper authority to use portable messaging signs on the back of vehicles to warn drivers of dangerous situations along the roadway.
HB2515 – Requires the disclosure of all mandatory “junk” fees in the advertised and displayed price of any good or service to enable consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
HB2557 – Clarifies that unlicensed property managers can continue to sign the form leases and other landlord documents required by state and federal law under supervision of a licensed real estate broker.
HB2721 – Updates the code section related to the Washington Commanders’ special license plate to reflect the team’s new name and logo.
HB1771– Creates the Employee Child Care Assistance Pilot Program. NOTE: The content of this bill was adopted by the General Assembly in the form of a budget amendment, which was included in the approved budget report. Read the “Budget Update” section below for additional details.
HJR466 – Designates May as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month.

These bills are now heading to Governor Youngkin, who will either sign them into law, amend, or veto them. I encourage you to reach out to the Governor’s office to urge him to sign these critical pieces of legislation into law!

Budget Update

This week, the House and Senate Budget Conference Committee met to resolve differences between the budget proposals approved by each chamber. The conferees prepared a final budget report that the General Assembly will vote on tomorrow during our final floor session.

Once the budget is passed, it will be sent to the Governor for his consideration.

I am proud to confirm that my budget amendment to create the Employee Childcare Assistance Pilot Program (formerly HB1771 ) was included in the final budget report. My amendment secures $25 million to launch the program, which will incentivize employers to help cover childcare costs for their employees by matching state funds.

🔗 Read the full conference report here.

Resources for Federal Employees

I understand that many of you have been impacted by the federal government’s workforce and funding cuts. Here are some key resources to help guide your next steps:

The Virginia Employment Commission has a webpage dedicated to resources for former federal employees and other workers affected by the federal government transition.

For information specific to Arlington residents, the Arlington Employment Center has created a “Transitioning from the Federal Government” webpagewith tips and services for federal employees who may be returning to the civilian workforce.

The House Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions is meeting tomorrow at 10am. Click here to watch the committee livestream.

If you need additional support during this unprecedented time, please reach out to my office to share your concerns. We will gladly help you navigate the unemployment benefit process and answer your questions to the best of our ability.

📌 Contact My Office.

Black History Month Spotlight

A trailblazer in the sky: Mary W. Jackson

Written by Yousif Omer, Legislative Intern and VSU student

Throughout Black History Month, we pay tribute to the trailblazers who broke down barriers and cleared a path for future generations. One such Trailblazer is Mary W. Jackson, an aerospace engineer and mathematician whose innovative work at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) revolutionized Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math prospects for women and people of color.

Mary W. Jackson was born in Hampton, Virginia in 1921, and went on to earn degrees in mathematics and physical science from Hampton Institute in 1942Jackson gained a plethora of scientific experience. In 1952, under Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson began as a “Human Computer” in the segregated West Area Computing division, where she carried out intricate mathematical computations necessary for aviation research.

Jackson’s extraordinary abilities earned her a position in the Supersonic Pressure Tunnel at NASA’s Langley Research Center, where she carried out state-of-the-art studies on airflow surrounding aircrafts. She pursued graduate-level engineering courses with tenacity and resolve, even though she required special court permission to attend an all-white school. This provided her with the credentials needed to become the first Black woman engineer at NASA in 1958.

Jackson contributed to aerodynamics research for twenty years. In 1979, after witnessing structural and cultural obstacles keeping minorities and women from progressing, she moved to NASA’s Equal Opportunity Office and worked to support the upcoming generation of mathematicians, scientists, and engineers. Mary Jackson’s legacy expands beyond her laboratory accomplishments. She was a servant leader and mentor to young Black children, ensuring that they had the tools and resources needed to pursue STEM-related careers.

In 2016, Jackson and other West Computers, including Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughn, were the inspiration behind Margot Lee Shetterly’s book Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, which was adapted into an acclaimed film. NASA renamed its Washington, D.C. headquarters after Jackson in honor of her contributions in 2021.

More than a scientist, Mary W. Jackson was a role model and advocate for equity. Her life serves as a reminder that people who dare to question the existing struggles are the ones who blaze a trail for progress. We honor her dedication to service and science this Black History Month.

Upcoming Events

2025 Feel the Heritage Festival

Arlington’s 31st annual Feel the Heritage Festival is this weekend! The festival welcomes hundreds each year to learn about Arlington’s historically African American neighborhoods while enjoying live entertainment, delicious food and dozens of vendors.

When: Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: Charles Drew Community Center, 3500 23rd St S

Volunteer Opportunity: Fort Bennett Park Invasive Plant Removal

This is a continuing project on the fourth Sunday of each month to reclaim the natural area around Ft. Bennett Park from invasive plants.

When: Sunday, February 23, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Dawson Terrace, 2133 N Taft St

Town Hall for Federal Workers & Contractors

Whether you’re a federal employee, contractor, or concerned about the future of public service, this is your chance to ask questions and connect with others facing the same challenges. The panel will feature representatives from labor, legal, and policy perspectives to help answer your questions regarding your rights, remedies, and recourse.

Where: Central Library, 1015 N Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22201

When: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

It has been an absolute honor serving as your Delegate for another legislative session. This year, I built upon the critical work that I started last session, and I look forward to hearing your feedback when I return to the 2nd District.

Many of the bills that I introduced this session were directly influenced by my constituents. Your insight has been incredibly valuable, and I hope you will continue to share your ideas with my office throughout the year.

Yours in Action,

Delegate Adele McClure (HD-2)